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

Gasconade County Disaster Risk

Gasconade County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

32th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#80

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Gasconade County, Missouri

Gasconade ranks very low on national scale

At 31.97, Gasconade County's composite risk score is well below the national average and falls into the "very low" category. This favorable standing reflects moderate exposure across all hazard types with no single extreme outlier.

Well below Missouri's average risk level

Gasconade's 31.97 score sits significantly below Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the lower third of the state's 114 counties. The county's balanced risk profile—no single hazard dominates—contributes to its overall safe standing.

Far safer than Franklin County nearby

Franklin County to the east scores 83.46, nearly three times Gasconade's composite risk. This stark difference illustrates how hazard exposure varies sharply across Missouri's landscape even within the same region.

Flood risk edges other concerns

Flood risk at 46.12 is Gasconade County's highest hazard, though it remains below the state average for that category. Wildfire risk (34.29), tornado risk (35.18), and earthquake risk (62.72) are all manageable and well-controlled relative to other Missouri counties.

Standard homeowners coverage sufficient

With very-low-risk standing, a standard homeowners policy with wind and hail coverage should meet most needs. If you're in a mapped floodplain near the Gasconade River, add flood insurance; otherwise, your primary protection comes from basic comprehensive coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Gasconade County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    46th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Gasconade County

Risk Verdict

At the 32th percentile nationally, Gasconade County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 32th percentile, Gasconade County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Gasconade County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (35th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Gasconade County ranks at the 63th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Gasconade County's flood risk at the 46th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Gasconade County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

A composite score 18.6 points below the Missouri state average puts Gasconade County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Gasconade 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 Gasconade County, MO?
Gasconade County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 32th 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 Gasconade County?
Gasconade County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (63th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 63th 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 Gasconade County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Gasconade County's composite risk percentile is 32th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Gasconade County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Gasconade County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Gasconade County's earthquake risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Gasconade County is at the 46th 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 Gasconade County a safe place to live?
Gasconade County's composite risk score of 32th 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 earthquake at the 63th 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.