Moniteau County Disaster Risk
Moniteau County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
31th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#82
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
33th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Moniteau County, Missouri
Moniteau stays below national risk levels
Moniteau County's composite risk score of 31.01 places it in the "Very Low" category, substantially below the national median. While not among the safest counties nationally, Moniteau offers significantly lower exposure to major disaster types than most American regions.
Well below Missouri's state average
Moniteau's score of 31.01 falls notably below Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the safer half of Missouri counties. This 39% lower-than-average risk reflects generally favorable hazard conditions across the region.
Moderate safety in local context
Moniteau's 31.01 exceeds the safest neighbors like Mercer (12.28) and Monroe (21.18) but remains far safer than Miller (55.09) to the west. Locally, Moniteau ranks as a moderate-safety option within its regional cluster.
Wildfire and tornado are primary concerns
Wildfire risk scores 67.68 and tornado risk 56.23—both above state averages and Moniteau's leading hazards. Earthquake risk at 56.58 also exceeds the state mean, though flood and hurricane threats remain relatively contained.
Prepare for wind and wildfire events
Moniteau residents should invest in wind-resistant roofing and clearing defensible space around homes to address wildfire exposure. Standard homeowners insurance combined with proactive property hardening provides robust protection for the county's primary threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Moniteau County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Moniteau County
Risk Verdict
Moniteau County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 31th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Moniteau County's favorable 31th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Moniteau County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (56th percentile), flood (33th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 68th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Moniteau County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 57th percentile nationally means Moniteau County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Moniteau County residents.
Regional Context
Moniteau County falls 19.5 points below Missouri's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Moniteau County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Moniteau County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Moniteau County?
How does Moniteau County risk compare to the Missouri average?
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How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Moniteau County a safe place to live?
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.