riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Bollinger County Disaster Risk

Bollinger County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#91

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bollinger County, Missouri

Bollinger ranks among safest counties

With a composite risk score of 26.27, Bollinger County sits well below the national average and is rated Very Low for natural disaster risk. This protective position reflects relatively modest exposure to most hazard types across the county.

Second-lowest risk in Missouri

Bollinger's score of 26.27 ranks it among the safest counties in Missouri, far below the state average of 50.56. Only a handful of Missouri counties enjoy comparably low composite risk profiles.

Safer than most regional peers

Adjacent counties show notably higher risk: Callaway County scores 63.93 and Cape Girardeau County scores 85.69. Bollinger's Very Low rating makes it the clear outlier for safety in its immediate region.

Earthquakes pose unexpected threat

Despite the county's overall low risk, earthquakes register at 77.99—the highest hazard for Bollinger residents. Tornados score 53.50, making severe weather the second concern, while flood and wildfire risks remain modest.

Earthquake coverage worth considering

Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage, yet Bollinger's earthquake risk score of 77.99 suggests adding this protection. Review your current coverage and consider a dedicated earthquake policy for peace of mind.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bollinger County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    33th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Bollinger County

Risk Verdict

At the 26th percentile nationally, Bollinger County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 26th percentile, Bollinger County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Bollinger County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (33th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bollinger County ranks at the 78th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. The county's tornado risk at the 53th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Bollinger County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

A composite score 24.3 points below the Missouri state average puts Bollinger County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Bollinger County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bollinger County, MO?
Bollinger County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Bollinger County?
Bollinger County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (78th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 78th 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 Bollinger County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Bollinger County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bollinger County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Bollinger County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Bollinger County's earthquake risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bollinger County is at the 33th 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.
Is Bollinger County a safe place to live?
Bollinger County's composite risk score of 26th percentile is below the Missouri state average of 51th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.