riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Howell County Disaster Risk

Howell County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#19

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Howell County

Risk Verdict

Howell County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 78th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Howell County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 80th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (77th), wildfire (75th), hurricane (42th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Howell County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Howell County is significantly riskier than the average county in Missouri. Its composite risk score is 27.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Howell County, MO?
Howell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Howell County?
Howell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (91th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), tornado (77th percentile), wildfire (75th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 91th 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 Howell County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Howell County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Howell County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Howell County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Howell County's earthquake risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Howell County is at the 80th 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.
Why is Howell County higher risk than average?
Howell County's composite risk score of 78th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (91th percentile), along with flooding and tornado and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pemiscot County

Missouri

+0.2

Relatively Low

78th percentile

Newton County

Missouri

-0.3

Relatively Low

78th percentile

St. Francois County

Missouri

+0.8

Relatively Low

79th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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