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

Hickory County Disaster Risk

Hickory County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#95

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hickory County, Missouri

Hickory County ranks among safest nationally

Hickory County's composite risk score of 23.47 places it in the Very Low category and well below the national average. Your county faces substantially fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties.

One of Missouri's lowest-risk areas

At 23.47, Hickory County scores less than 46% of Missouri's average risk of 50.56, ranking among the state's safest counties. This favorable positioning reflects below-average exposure across most major hazard types.

Among the region's safest options

Hickory County's risk profile is lower than Harrison County (29.33) and significantly safer than Henry County (52.77) in central Missouri. Your county remains well-protected compared to the broader regional risk landscape.

Wildfire and tornado awareness needed

Wildfire risk is elevated at 69.37, making it Hickory County's primary concern despite overall low composite risk. Tornado risk (46.53) and earthquake risk (42.94) are moderate secondary concerns requiring basic preparedness.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

Hickory County homeowners should prioritize wildfire insurance and defensible space maintenance, especially in forested areas. A basic emergency plan and disaster kit appropriate to wildfire and tornado threats will provide essential protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hickory County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    47th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    43th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hickory County

Risk Verdict

Hickory County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 23th percentile nationally. A 23th percentile score positions Hickory County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Hickory County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 47th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (43th percentile), flood (32th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Hickory County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 69th percentile nationally. Hickory County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 47th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Hickory County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Missouri county average exceeds Hickory County's score by 27.1 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Hickory 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 Hickory County, MO?
Hickory 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 Hickory County?
Hickory County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (69th percentile), tornado (47th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 69th 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 Hickory County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Hickory 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 Hickory County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Hickory County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hickory County's wildfire risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hickory County is at the 32th 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 Hickory County a safe place to live?
Hickory 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 wildfire at the 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dade County

Missouri

-0.2

Very Low

23th percentile

Douglas County

Missouri

+0.2

Very Low

24th percentile

Livingston County

Missouri

-0.4

Very Low

23th 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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