riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Macon County Disaster Risk

Macon County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

37th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#74

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% 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

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Macon County

Risk Verdict

Macon County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 37th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Macon County, scoring in the 66th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 54th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (53th), flood (48th), hurricane (21th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Macon County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Macon County is notably safer than the average county in Missouri. Its composite risk score is 13.8 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Macon County, MO?
Macon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 37th 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 Macon County?
Macon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (66th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 66th 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 Macon County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Macon County's composite risk percentile is 37th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Macon County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Macon County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Macon County's tornado risk is at the 66th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Macon County is at the 48th 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 Macon County a safe place to live?
Macon County's composite risk score of 37th 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 66th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Randolph County

Missouri

-0.9

Very Low

36th percentile

Ozark County

Missouri

-1.0

Very Low

36th percentile

Montgomery County

Missouri

+1.6

Very Low

38th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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