riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Pemiscot County Disaster Risk

Pemiscot County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% 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

Moderate

Higher than 84% 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 46% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Pemiscot County

Risk Verdict

Pemiscot County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 78th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Pemiscot County, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 84th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (46th), flood (28th), wildfire (4th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Pemiscot County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado 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

Pemiscot County is significantly riskier than the average county in Missouri. Its composite risk score is 27.4 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against Pemiscot County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pemiscot County, MO?
Pemiscot County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Pemiscot County?
Pemiscot County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (96th percentile), tornado (84th percentile), hurricane (46th percentile), flooding (28th 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 Pemiscot County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Pemiscot County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pemiscot County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Pemiscot County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Pemiscot County's earthquake risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pemiscot County is at the 28th 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 Pemiscot County higher risk than average?
Pemiscot County's composite risk score of 78th 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

Howell County

Missouri

-0.2

Relatively Low

78th percentile

Newton County

Missouri

-0.4

Relatively Low

78th percentile

St. Francois County

Missouri

+0.6

Relatively Low

79th 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.

Explore more data for Pemiscot County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score