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

Howard County Disaster Risk

Howard County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#110

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Howard County, Missouri

Howard County among nation's safest

Howard County's composite risk score of 13.80 earns the Very Low rating and sits far below national averages. Your county represents some of the lowest natural disaster risk in the entire United States.

Missouri's premier low-risk location

At 13.80, Howard County scores just 27% of Missouri's average risk score of 50.56. You live in the state's safest tier for natural disaster exposure, with minimal hazard exposure across the board.

Safest in central Missouri region

Howard County's 13.80 score is lower than all nearby counties, including Hickory County (23.47) and Harrison County (29.33). Your county consistently ranks as the region's safest option for disaster risk.

Tornado and earthquake low-level concerns

Tornado risk reaches 44.62 and earthquake risk 40.71—modest by national standards but Howard County's highest-scoring hazards. All other risks, including flood (23.22), wildfire (31.87), and hurricane (10.10), remain very low.

Minimal insurance adjustments needed

Standard homeowner's insurance provides ample protection in Howard County's exceptionally safe environment. A basic emergency kit and tornado awareness satisfy preparedness requirements for most residents in this low-risk county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Howard County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    45th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    32th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Howard County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Howard County ranks at the 14th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 14th percentile nationally, Howard County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Howard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 45th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (32th percentile), flood (23th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 45th percentile nationally makes Howard 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. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 41th percentile nationally means Howard County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Howard 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 36.8 points below the Missouri state average, Howard County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Howard 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 Howard County, MO?
Howard County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Howard County?
Howard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (45th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), wildfire (32th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 45th 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 Howard County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Howard County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Howard County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Howard County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Howard County's tornado risk is at the 45th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Howard County is at the 23th 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 Howard County a safe place to live?
Howard County's composite risk score of 14th 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 45th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ralls County

Missouri

+0.3

Very Low

14th percentile

Caldwell County

Missouri

+0.6

Very Low

14th percentile

Mercer County

Missouri

-1.5

Very Low

12th 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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