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

Camden County Disaster Risk

Camden County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

88th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

93th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Camden County, Missouri

Camden ranks among highest-risk counties

Camden County's composite risk score of 88.39 substantially exceeds the national average and carries a Relatively Moderate rating. The county confronts above-average natural disaster exposure across nearly every hazard type.

Among Missouri's highest-risk counties

Camden's score of 88.39 ranks it among the most at-risk counties in Missouri, well above the state average of 50.56. This elevated profile places Camden in the top tier of disaster-prone areas statewide.

Highest risk in its immediate area

Camden's score of 88.39 significantly exceeds Callaway County (63.93) to the north and Cape Girardeau County (85.69) to the south. It stands as the riskiest county in its region.

Floods top a risky mix of hazards

Camden residents face an exceptionally high flood risk of 93.26, the county's dominant threat, paired with wildfire risk of 81.84. Earthquakes (79.23) and tornadoes (83.94) round out a formidable quartet of major hazards.

Comprehensive insurance is essential

With flood risk at 93.26, a standalone flood policy is non-negotiable for Camden homeowners, whether in or out of mapped flood zones. Add earthquake coverage given the 79.23 score, and review all policies annually given the county's multiple serious threats.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Camden County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    82th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Camden County

Risk Verdict

Camden County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Camden County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (82th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Camden County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. The county's second-ranked hazard, tornado at the 84th percentile nationally, means Camden County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. For most Camden County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.

Regional Context

Camden County's composite risk score sits 37.8 points above the Missouri county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Camden 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 Camden County, MO?
Camden County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 88th 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 Camden County?
Camden County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (93th percentile), tornado (84th percentile), wildfire (82th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 93th 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 Camden County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Camden County's composite risk percentile is 88th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Camden County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Camden County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Camden County's flooding risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Camden County higher risk than average?
Camden County's composite risk score of 88th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (93th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.