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

Dade County Disaster Risk

Dade County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#96

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dade County, Missouri

Dade County Among America's Safest

Dade County scores 23.28 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 tier for natural disasters nationally.

Low-Risk Profile Statewide

Dade County ranks among Missouri's safest counties, with minimal multi-hazard exposure. The score of 23.28 reflects one of the state's most favorable natural disaster environments.

Safest of Its Peer Group

Dade County's 23.28 score falls notably below Dallas County (41.70), Crawford County (54.99), and Cole County (73.44). Only nearby DeKalb County (16.03) edges out Dade for lowest overall risk in the immediate region.

Minimal Hazard Exposure

Tornado risk of 45.71 represents Dade's most notable concern, though it remains well below the state average. Flood, earthquake, wildfire, and hurricane risks all register below 45, indicating low practical threat levels.

Basic Coverage Adequate

Standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for Dade County's low-risk profile. Verify flood coverage if your property sits in a mapped floodplain, but specialized windstorm or earthquake policies are generally unnecessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dade County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    46th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Dade County

Risk Verdict

Dade County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 23th percentile nationally. At the 23th percentile, Dade County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Dade County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (38th percentile), flood (28th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Dade County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 46th percentile nationally. For Dade County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Dade County at the 42th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Dade County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Missouri county average exceeds Dade County's score by 27.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Dade 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 Dade County, MO?
Dade County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Dade County?
Dade County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (46th percentile), earthquake (42th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 46th 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 Dade County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Dade County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Dade County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Dade County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Dade County's tornado risk is at the 46th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Dade County is at the 28th 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 Dade County a safe place to live?
Dade County's composite risk score of 23th 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 46th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hickory County

Missouri

+0.2

Very Low

23th percentile

Livingston County

Missouri

-0.3

Very Low

23th percentile

Douglas County

Missouri

+0.4

Very Low

24th 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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