Iron County Disaster Risk
Iron County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
69th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#30
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
64th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Iron County, Missouri
Iron County above-average national risk
Iron County's composite risk score of 69.50 exceeds the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating despite elevated exposure. Your county faces substantially more natural disaster threats than the typical American county.
Upper tier of Missouri risk
At 69.50, Iron County scores 137% of Missouri's statewide average of 50.56, placing it firmly in the state's higher-risk category. Your county ranks among Missouri's more hazard-exposed communities.
Riskier than most central neighbors
Iron County's 69.50 score exceeds Hickory County (23.47), Harrison County (29.33), and Henry County (52.77), but remains somewhat below Howell County (77.77). Your county faces elevated multi-hazard exposure compared to most regional peers.
Earthquake and flood dominate
Earthquake risk scores 78.09 and flood risk reaches 64.47—Iron County's two primary hazard concerns requiring serious preparation. Tornado (58.37) and wildfire (50.83) risks are also notable secondary threats.
Prioritize earthquake and flood coverage
Iron County homeowners should obtain separate earthquake and flood insurance policies, as standard homeowner's insurance excludes both. Review your coverage annually with a local agent and secure heavy furniture, creating a seismic safety plan for your household.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Iron County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Iron County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 69th, Iron County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Iron County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (58th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 78th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Iron County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Flood at the 64th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Iron County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Iron County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
At 18.9 points above the Missouri state average, Iron County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Missouri county.
Is your household prepared for Iron County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Iron County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Iron County?
How does Iron County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Iron County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Iron 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.