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

Crawford County Disaster Risk

Crawford County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% 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 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Crawford County, Missouri

Crawford County's Moderate Risk

Crawford County scores 54.99 on the composite risk scale, rated Relatively Low and slightly above Missouri's state average of 50.56. This profile reflects meaningful exposure to some hazards, tempered by manageable risk in others.

Mid-Range Risk Across Missouri

Crawford County ranks in the middle-to-upper tier of Missouri's 114 counties, driven primarily by exceptional earthquake risk of 78.88. This seismic exposure is unusual for Missouri and reflects the county's geologic setting.

Higher Earthquake Risk Than Nearby Areas

Crawford County's earthquake risk of 78.88 far exceeds that of Cooper County (47.81), Daviess County (23.03), and Dallas County (59.10). Its composite score of 54.99 positions it between lower-risk Daviess (30.06) and higher-risk Cole (73.44).

Earthquake Is Unique Threat

Earthquake risk of 78.88 dominates Crawford County's hazard profile—substantially higher than flood (47.58), tornado (52.89), and wildfire (53.59) risks. This unusual seismic exposure sets Crawford apart from most other Missouri counties.

Earthquake Insurance a Must

Crawford County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance, a coverage type rarely necessary elsewhere in Missouri but vital here. Secure heavy furniture and appliances, reinforce chimney connections, and ensure your home's foundation can handle seismic stress.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Crawford County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    53th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Crawford County

Risk Verdict

At the 55th percentile nationally, Crawford County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Crawford County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Crawford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (53th percentile), flood (48th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Crawford County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 79th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Crawford County's wildfire risk at the 54th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. After a major earthquake, Crawford County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.

Regional Context

At 4.4 points from the Missouri county mean, Crawford County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Crawford 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 Crawford County, MO?
Crawford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Crawford County?
Crawford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (79th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 79th 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 Crawford County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Crawford County's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Crawford County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Crawford County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Crawford County's earthquake risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Crawford County is at the 48th 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.
Why is Crawford County higher risk than average?
Crawford County's composite risk score of 55th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (79th percentile), along with wildfire and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Johnson County

Missouri

-0.1

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Miller County

Missouri

+0.1

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Warren County

Missouri

+0.3

Relatively Low

55th 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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