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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Howell County, Missouri
Howell County faces above-average risk
Howell County's composite risk score of 77.77 significantly exceeds the national average, though it maintains a Relatively Low overall rating. This means your county encounters considerably more natural disaster exposure than a typical American county.
Among Missouri's higher-risk counties
At 77.77, Howell County scores 154% of Missouri's average of 50.56, ranking it in the state's upper-risk tier. Your county faces substantially more multi-hazard exposure than most Missouri communities.
Significantly riskier than Iron County
Howell County's 77.77 score exceeds Iron County (69.50) and all central Missouri neighbors by substantial margins. Your county represents one of the state's most hazard-exposed communities, particularly for earthquake and flood risks.
Earthquake and flood threats severe
Earthquake risk scores 91.06 and flood risk reaches 79.61—both critical concerns placing Howell County among Missouri's most seismically and hydrologically vulnerable areas. Tornado risk (76.62) and wildfire risk (75.45) compound the exposure, making this a multi-hazard hotspot.
Comprehensive protection essential
Howell County residents must secure robust homeowner's insurance explicitly covering earthquake, flood, and windstorm damage—standard policies often exclude these. Work with a local agent to ensure full coverage and maintain emergency supplies, an evacuation plan, and secure household items against seismic activity.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Howell County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Howell County
Risk Verdict
Howell County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 78th percentile across all U.S. counties. Howell 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
Earthquake risk is Howell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (77th percentile), wildfire (75th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 91th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Howell County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Howell County's flood risk at the 80th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Howell County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.
Regional Context
A composite score 27.2 points above the Missouri state average puts Howell County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Howell County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Howell County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Howell County?
How does Howell County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Howell County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Howell 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.