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

New Madrid County Disaster Risk

New Madrid County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

72th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in New Madrid County, Missouri

New Madrid faces elevated national risk

New Madrid County's composite risk score of 71.91 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but well above the national median. This score reflects substantially higher exposure to natural disasters than the typical American county.

Second-highest risk in Missouri

New Madrid's score of 71.91 ranks second only to Morgan County (75.48) in Missouri, standing 42% above the state average of 50.56. New Madrid carries among the state's most significant natural disaster exposure.

Distinctive earthquake risk regionally

New Madrid's 71.91 far exceeds most surrounding counties, though nearby Mississippi County (57.19) shares elevated seismic exposure. New Madrid's 96.12 earthquake score stands among Missouri's highest, distinguishing it sharply from regional peers.

Earthquake and tornado are primary threats

Earthquake risk scores an exceptional 96.12—the highest in Missouri—while tornado risk reaches 59.51. Hurricane risk at 43.26 ranks elevated, though flood and wildfire threats remain minimal due to the county's agricultural landscape.

Earthquake insurance is non-negotiable

New Madrid's extreme earthquake risk at 96.12 makes dedicated earthquake coverage absolutely essential for homeowners seeking protection. Securing structural anchors, bracing chimneys, and maintaining emergency supplies prepares households for the county's distinctive seismic threats.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in New Madrid County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    43th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: New Madrid County

Risk Verdict

New Madrid County ranks at the 72th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is New Madrid County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (43th percentile), flood (23th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

New Madrid County ranks at the 96th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. The county's tornado risk at the 60th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, New Madrid County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Missouri counties, New Madrid County runs 21.4 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for New Madrid 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 New Madrid County, MO?
New Madrid County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 72th 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 New Madrid County?
New Madrid County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (96th percentile), tornado (60th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 96th 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 New Madrid County risk compare to the Missouri average?
New Madrid County's composite risk percentile is 72th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means New Madrid County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is New Madrid County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, New Madrid County's earthquake risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, New Madrid County is at the 23th 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.
Why is New Madrid County higher risk than average?
New Madrid County's composite risk score of 72th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (96th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Platte County

Missouri

-0.5

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Cole County

Missouri

+1.5

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Stoddard County

Missouri

+2.4

Relatively Low

74th percentile

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.

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