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

Daviess County Disaster Risk

Daviess County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#84

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

36th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Daviess County, Missouri

Daviess County's Low Risk Standing

Daviess County scores 30.06 on the composite risk scale, rated Very Low and substantially below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This positioning places the county in the safest tier for natural disaster exposure nationally.

Among Missouri's Safest Counties

Daviess County ranks in the lowest-risk tier of Missouri's 114 counties, with a composite score 20 points below the state average. The county maintains minimal exposure across most major hazard types.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Daviess County's 30.06 score falls well below Cole County (73.44) and Crawford County (54.99), matching Dallas County (41.70) and trailing only DeKalb County (16.03) and Cooper County (20.39) in the immediate region.

Modest Tornado Exposure Only

Tornado risk of 56.65 represents Daviess County's primary concern, though it remains below the state average. Wildfire risk of 51.72 and flood risk of 36.20 complete a relatively benign hazard profile.

Standard Homeowners Coverage Works

Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for Daviess County's low-risk environment. Confirm your flood coverage if living in a designated floodplain, but specialized earthquake or windstorm policies are unnecessary for most properties here.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Daviess County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    36th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Daviess County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Daviess County ranks at the 30th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Daviess County residents can take confidence from a 30th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Daviess County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (36th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 57th percentile nationally makes Daviess County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 52th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Daviess County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Daviess County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

At 20.5 points below the Missouri state average, Daviess County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Daviess 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 Daviess County, MO?
Daviess County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th 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 Daviess County?
Daviess County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (57th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile), flooding (36th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 57th 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 Daviess County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Daviess County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Daviess County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Daviess County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Daviess County's tornado risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Daviess County is at the 36th 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 Daviess County a safe place to live?
Daviess County's composite risk score of 30th 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 57th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.