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

Livingston County Disaster Risk

Livingston County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#97

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Livingston County, Missouri

Livingston County enjoys minimal disaster risk

With the state's lowest composite risk score of 23.03, Livingston County ranks among America's safest counties from natural disaster exposure. This very low rating reflects below-average hazard exposure across earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires.

Missouri's safest county for disasters

Livingston County's score of 23.03 is the lowest among all Missouri counties, well below the state average of 50.56. Residents here enjoy significantly lower natural disaster risk than nearly every other county in the state.

The safest spot in the region

Livingston County at 23.03 is substantially safer than Linn County (31.23), Macon County (36.77), and all other surrounding counties. This makes it the lowest-risk area in north-central Missouri by a considerable margin.

Tornado risk remains the primary hazard

Even in this low-risk county, tornadoes register at 64.89, the highest local hazard—though still manageable with standard preparedness. Flood risk at 26.43 and wildfire risk at 38.23 are both minimal, with zero hurricane exposure reported.

Basic tornado safety is sufficient

Livingston County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and a tornado safety plan—the county's low overall risk means specialized hazard coverage is less critical than in neighboring areas. Focus on ensuring your home has access to a safe room or basement during severe weather season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Livingston County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    38th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    32th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Livingston County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Livingston County ranks at the 23th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 23th percentile, Livingston County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Livingston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 38th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (32th percentile), flood (26th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 65th percentile nationally makes Livingston County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Livingston County at the 38th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. In Livingston County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

At 27.5 points below the Missouri state average, Livingston County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Livingston 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 Livingston County, MO?
Livingston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Livingston County?
Livingston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (65th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flooding (26th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 65th 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 Livingston County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Livingston County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Livingston County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Livingston County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Livingston County's tornado risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Livingston County is at the 26th 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.
Is Livingston County a safe place to live?
Livingston County's composite risk score of 23th percentile is below the Missouri state average of 51th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 65th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.