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

Perry County Disaster Risk

Perry County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Perry County, Missouri

Perry faces moderate earthquake risk

Perry County's composite risk score of 46.18 sits slightly below the national and Missouri averages, yet masks a distinctive hazard profile with earthquake risk at 87.69. This elevated seismic exposure reflects the county's location in the transition zone near the New Madrid Seismic System and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone.

Perry ranks below state average overall

Perry County's composite risk score of 46.18 falls below Missouri's state average of 50.56, positioning it among the safer counties statewide. However, its earthquake risk of 87.69 ranks among the highest in Missouri, creating a localized vulnerability distinct from the county's broader risk profile.

Perry's earthquake risk is exceptional

Perry County's earthquake risk of 87.69 substantially exceeds neighboring Ste. Genevieve and Franklin counties, reflecting its unique positioning relative to regional seismic zones. This seismic outlier status makes earthquake preparedness particularly important despite the county's otherwise favorable overall risk ranking.

Earthquakes the dominant hazard

Perry County's earthquake risk of 87.69 stands as its primary natural disaster concern, significantly above state and national averages. While tornado risk at 58.27 remains moderate, the earthquake exposure dominates the county's hazard profile and demands specialized attention.

Prioritize earthquake insurance

Perry County residents must obtain earthquake insurance or endorsements, as standard homeowner policies exclude seismic damage in this high-risk zone. Structural reinforcement for foundations and connections between structures and foundations should be considered essential investments in seismic resilience.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Perry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    36th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Perry County

Risk Verdict

Perry County ranks at the 46th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. At the 46th percentile, Perry County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Perry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (36th percentile), flood (32th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Perry County ranks at the 88th 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. Alongside earthquake exposure, Perry County's tornado risk at the 58th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Perry 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

The county's composite score diverges by only 4.4 points from the Missouri average, making Perry County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Perry 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 Perry County, MO?
Perry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Perry County?
Perry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (88th percentile), tornado (58th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 88th 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 Perry County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Perry County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Perry County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Perry County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Perry County's earthquake risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Perry County is at the 32th 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 Perry County a safe place to live?
Perry County's composite risk score of 46th 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 earthquake at the 88th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Vernon County

Missouri

-0.2

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Nodaway County

Missouri

-0.6

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Webster County

Missouri

-1.6

Relatively Low

45th 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.

Explore more data for Perry County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score