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

Cooper County Disaster Risk

Cooper County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

20th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#104

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cooper County, Missouri

Cooper County Among America's Safest

Cooper County scores just 20.39 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and falling well below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This position places the county in the lowest-risk category for natural disasters nationally.

Missouri's Safest Counties

Cooper County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Missouri, with minimal exposure across nearly all hazard types. The county's score of 20.39 reflects one of the state's most favorable natural disaster profiles.

Significantly Safer Than Peers

Cooper County's 20.39 score substantially underscore nearby Cole County (73.44), Crawford County (54.99), and Dallas County (41.70). This dramatic difference makes Cooper a notably safer choice for residents concerned about natural disaster exposure.

Minor Tornado Exposure Only

Tornado risk of 50.76 represents Cooper County's most notable concern, though it remains relatively modest in statewide context. Flood, earthquake, and wildfire risks all score below 50, indicating low practical threat levels.

Standard Coverage Sufficient

Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate baseline protection for Cooper County's low-risk environment. Confirm flood coverage if your home sits in a mapped floodplain, but specialized earthquake or windstorm policies are unlikely necessary here.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cooper County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    40th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Cooper County

Risk Verdict

Cooper County's overall natural disaster score at the 20th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 20th percentile, Cooper County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Cooper County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (40th percentile), flood (30th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 51th percentile nationally, Cooper County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 48th percentile nationally means Cooper County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Cooper County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Cooper County's composite risk score sits 30.2 points below the Missouri county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Cooper 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 Cooper County, MO?
Cooper County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 20th 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 Cooper County?
Cooper County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (51th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile), flooding (30th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 51th 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 Cooper County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Cooper County's composite risk percentile is 20th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cooper County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Cooper County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cooper County's tornado risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cooper County is at the 30th 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 Cooper County a safe place to live?
Cooper County's composite risk score of 20th 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 tornado at the 51th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Maries County

Missouri

+0.4

Very Low

21th percentile

Knox County

Missouri

+0.6

Very Low

21th percentile

Monroe County

Missouri

+0.8

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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