Barton County Disaster Risk
Barton County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
44th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#70
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
46th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Barton County, Missouri
Barton's risk slightly below state average
Barton County's composite risk score of 43.61 sits below Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the Relatively Low category. This means your county experiences lower overall natural disaster exposure than the typical Missouri community.
Below-average risk across Missouri
Barton County ranks in the lower-middle tier of natural disaster risk statewide, with exposure levels that fall below roughly half of Missouri's counties. Your county occupies a relatively protected position on the state's risk spectrum.
Safer than Barry, comparable to others
Barton County's 43.61 score substantially underperforms neighboring Barry County (75.06) and sits between Benton County (66.83) and Bates County (30.47). Geographic positioning shields your area from the extreme risks affecting nearby southwestern regions.
Tornadoes represent your primary hazard
Tornado risk leads Barton County at 64.50, making severe wind threats your most pressing concern. Earthquake exposure (51.91) ranks second due to New Madrid seismic zone proximity, while flood (45.93) and hurricane (28.74) risks are moderate—notably, wildfire risk is minimal at 10.18.
Prioritize windstorm and earthquake coverage
Add both windstorm insurance and earthquake coverage to your homeowners policy to address Barton County's primary hazards. Establish a tornado safe room or identify interior shelter areas, and keep important documents in a waterproof, fireproof container.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Barton County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Barton County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Barton County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 44th percentile. The 44th percentile national ranking is one lens; Barton County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Barton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (46th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 65th percentile nationally, Barton County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 52th percentile nationally means Barton County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Barton County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Barton County's composite risk score sits 7.0 points below the Missouri county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.
Is your household prepared for Barton County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Barton County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Barton County?
How does Barton County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Barton County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Barton County a safe place to live?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.