Morgan County Disaster Risk
Morgan County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
75th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#22
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Morgan County, Missouri
Morgan faces elevated national risk
Morgan County's composite risk score of 75.48 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but well above the national median. This score reflects substantially higher exposure to natural disasters than most American counties.
Missouri's highest-risk county
Morgan's score of 75.48 exceeds all other Missouri counties and stands 49% above the state average of 50.56. Morgan faces the most significant natural disaster exposure in the entire state, demanding heightened preparedness.
Significantly riskier than nearby counties
Morgan's 75.48 dramatically exceeds neighbors like Miller (55.09), Moniteau (31.01), and most surrounding regions. Morgan stands out as an exceptional risk zone within its local context.
Flood and tornado dominate hazards
Flood risk scores 82.73 and tornado risk 79.13—among Missouri's highest levels for both hazards. Wildfire risk at 72.26 and earthquake risk at 67.14 also rank significantly above state averages, creating a multi-hazard environment.
Comprehensive insurance coverage essential
Morgan residents absolutely require flood insurance and should evaluate windstorm or additional tornado coverage given extreme exposure. Investing in property hardening—elevated utilities, reinforced structures, and roof upgrades—provides critical protection in Missouri's highest-risk county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Morgan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Morgan County
Risk Verdict
Morgan County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Morgan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Morgan County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Secondary tornado exposure at the 79th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. For most Morgan County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
Morgan County's composite risk score sits 24.9 points above the Missouri county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Morgan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Morgan County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Morgan County?
How does Morgan County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Morgan County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Morgan 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.