Buchanan County Disaster Risk
Buchanan County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#25
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
69th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Buchanan County, Missouri
Buchanan faces moderate disaster exposure
Buchanan County's composite risk score of 74.36 sits above the national average with a Relatively Low rating. The county experiences meaningful natural disaster risk, particularly from tornadoes and flooding.
Moderate risk among Missouri counties
At 74.36, Buchanan's score exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56 by nearly 24 points, placing it in the higher-risk group statewide. This elevated exposure warrants active homeowner preparation.
Higher risk than western peers
Buchanan's score of 74.36 exceeds Callaway County (63.93) to the south but trails Butler County (83.11) to the southeast. The county sits in the middle range for its region.
Tornadoes and floods lead threats
Tornado risk registers at 89.73, making severe weather the dominant concern, while flood risk of 68.51 poses a secondary threat. Earthquakes score 45.04, a notably lower concern than regional peers.
Prioritize flood and tornado coverage
With tornado risk at 89.73 and flood risk at 68.51, Buchanan residents need comprehensive coverage beyond standard homeowners insurance. A separate flood policy and regular safety drills for severe weather are practical investments.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Buchanan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Buchanan County
Risk Verdict
Buchanan County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 74th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Buchanan County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Buchanan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (58th percentile), earthquake (45th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 90th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Buchanan County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Buchanan County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Buchanan County at the 69th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Buchanan County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 23.8 points above the Missouri state average puts Buchanan County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Buchanan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Buchanan County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Buchanan County?
How does Buchanan County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Buchanan County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Buchanan County higher risk than average?
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.