riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Benton County Disaster Risk

Benton County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

67th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Benton County

Risk Verdict

Benton County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 67th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Benton County, scoring in the 75th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 69th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (67th), earthquake (59th), hurricane (28th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Benton County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Benton County is significantly riskier than the average county in Missouri. Its composite risk score is 16.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Benton County, MO?
Benton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Benton County?
Benton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (75th percentile), wildfire (69th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 75th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Benton County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Benton County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Benton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Benton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Benton County's tornado risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Benton County is at the 67th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Benton County higher risk than average?
Benton County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (75th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wayne County

Missouri

+0.2

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Lincoln County

Missouri

+0.3

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Christian County

Missouri

-0.3

Relatively Low

66th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.

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