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

Clark County Disaster Risk

Clark County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#99

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Missouri

Clark County's minimal risk

Clark County scores just 21.82—Missouri's lowest recorded composite risk—placing it far below the state average of 50.56 with a Very Low national rating. The county represents one of America's safest jurisdictions for natural disaster exposure.

Missouri's safest county

Clark County holds the lowest composite risk score in Missouri at 21.82, significantly outpacing every other county statewide. Residents enjoy exceptional protection from major natural hazards.

Exceptional low-risk standing

Clark County's 21.82 score stands below even Cedar County (26.05) and Chariton County (29.42), creating a notably safe pocket in central Missouri. Nearby Cass County (74.90) and Christian County (66.48) face three times the hazard exposure.

Tornado presents primary concern

Tornadoes represent Clark County's highest risk at 25.60—still well below most counties—while wildfire (47.36) and flooding (30.50) remain minimal threats. The county's 21.82 composite score reflects balanced, low exposure across all hazard types.

Basic insurance provides security

Standard homeowners insurance with standard wind coverage adequately protects properties in Clark County's low-risk environment. A basic emergency kit and spring weather awareness complete preparedness; specialized hazard policies are unnecessary for typical properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clark County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    47th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    31th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Clark County

Risk Verdict

At the 22th percentile nationally, Clark County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 22th percentile score positions Clark County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 47th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (31th percentile), tornado (26th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Clark County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 47th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Clark County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 33th percentile nationally means Clark County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Clark County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 28.7 points below the Missouri state average puts Clark County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Clark 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 Clark County, MO?
Clark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Clark County?
Clark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (47th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), tornado (26th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 47th 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 Clark County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Clark County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clark County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Clark County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Clark County's wildfire risk is at the 47th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Clark County is at the 31th 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 Clark County a safe place to live?
Clark County's composite risk score of 22th 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 wildfire at the 47th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Atchison County

Missouri

-0.1

Very Low

22th percentile

Andrew County

Missouri

+0.3

Very Low

22th percentile

Monroe County

Missouri

-0.6

Very Low

21th percentile

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.

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