Greene County Disaster Risk
Greene County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
90th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#6
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
89th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Greene County, Missouri
Greene County faces the state's highest risks
At 90.08, Greene County's composite risk score is among the nation's most elevated and places it in the "relatively moderate" category. Extreme exposures to floods (88.80), tornadoes (94.88), earthquakes (92.91), and wildfires (72.42) make this Missouri's riskiest county overall.
Missouri's highest-risk county
Greene County's 90.08 composite score is by far the highest in Missouri, nearly 40 points above the state average of 50.56. No other Missouri county faces such a comprehensive and severe multi-hazard profile.
Dramatically riskier than surrounding areas
Neighboring counties score substantially lower: Dent County at 52.54 and Douglas County at 23.70. Greene County's positioning in south-central Missouri at the intersection of multiple hazard zones creates this exceptional vulnerability.
Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes converge here
Tornado risk (94.88), flood risk (88.80), and earthquake risk (92.91) dominate Greene County's hazard profile, each ranking among Missouri's highest. Spring tornado season, frequent flash flooding, and proximity to the Ozark seismic zone create a year-round threat environment.
Comprehensive multi-hazard insurance required
Flood insurance, earthquake insurance, and robust wind/tornado coverage are all essential in Greene County, not optional add-ons. Invest in safe-room construction or reinforcement, keep supplies stocked for both flooding and earthquake scenarios, and review all three policies annually with your agent.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Greene County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Greene County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Greene County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 90th. Greene County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Greene County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (89th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 95th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Greene County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Greene County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 93th percentile nationally means Greene County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Greene County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 39.5 points above the Missouri state average puts Greene County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Greene County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Greene County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Greene County?
How does Greene County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Greene County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Greene County higher risk than average?
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.