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

Jasper County Disaster Risk

Jasper County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

86th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jasper County, Missouri

Jasper ranks above average nationally

Jasper County's composite risk score of 85.59 places it well above the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate rating. This means residents face greater-than-typical exposure to natural hazards compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Missouri's riskier counties

Jasper's 85.59 score significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it one of the higher-risk counties in the state. The county's risk level reflects concentrated hazard exposure across multiple threat types.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Jasper faces notably higher composite risk (85.59) than neighboring Lawrence County (66.22) and Laclede County (66.03). Its risk profile stands out in the region, driven by particularly acute tornado and flood dangers.

Tornadoes and floods dominate Jasper

Tornado risk reaches 95.64 in Jasper County—one of the state's highest levels—while flood risk stands at 84.89. These two hazards account for the county's elevated overall risk and pose the most frequent threats to homes and infrastructure.

Prioritize comprehensive storm coverage

Given Jasper's extreme tornado and flood exposure, homeowners should verify their policies explicitly cover tornado damage and flooding. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage; contact your agent about a separate flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jasper County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    79th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Jasper County

Risk Verdict

Jasper County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 86th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Jasper County.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Jasper County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (79th percentile), wildfire (66th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jasper County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 96th percentile nationally. In Jasper County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. The secondary flood hazard at the 85th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Jasper County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Jasper County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Jasper County households.

Regional Context

Jasper County falls 35.0 points above Missouri's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Jasper 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 Jasper County, MO?
Jasper County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 86th 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 Jasper County?
Jasper County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (96th percentile), flooding (85th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), wildfire (66th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 96th 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 Jasper County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Jasper County's composite risk percentile is 86th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jasper County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Jasper County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jasper County's tornado risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jasper County is at the 85th 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 Jasper County higher risk than average?
Jasper County's composite risk score of 86th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (96th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.