Lawrence County Disaster Risk
Lawrence County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
66th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
67th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lawrence County, Missouri
Lawrence faces above-average U.S. risk
Lawrence County's composite risk score of 66.22 exceeds the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating. Residents experience greater-than-typical natural disaster exposure compared to most American counties.
Above Missouri's average risk level
Lawrence's 66.22 score exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the middle-risk tier statewide. The county faces more concentrated hazard exposure than the typical Missouri community.
Similar risk to neighboring Laclede
Lawrence County (66.22) faces nearly identical risk to neighbor Laclede County (66.03) and sits riskier than Jasper County (85.59) in the region. Both counties experience mid-range natural disaster exposure in the Ozark area.
Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes
Lawrence County experiences tornado risk of 84.13, flood risk of 67.21, and earthquake risk of 71.18—all notably elevated. These three hazards constitute the county's primary natural disaster threats.
Secure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage
Lawrence homeowners must prioritize flood and tornado insurance given the county's elevated exposure to both, and should explore earthquake coverage options. Contact your agent to layer protections across all three major hazard types.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lawrence County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lawrence County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Lawrence County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 66th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Lawrence County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Lawrence County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (67th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 84th percentile nationally, Lawrence County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 71th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Lawrence County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Lawrence County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Lawrence County is 15.7 composite risk points above the Missouri average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Lawrence County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lawrence County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Lawrence County?
How does Lawrence County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Lawrence County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lawrence 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.