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

Polk County Disaster Risk

Polk County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#54

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

58th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% 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 73% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Polk County, Missouri

Polk County's balanced moderate risks

Polk County scores 54.48 on the composite risk scale, slightly above the national average and rated as relatively low risk overall. The county faces a diverse hazard profile where wildfire (72.20) and tornado (73.47) risks are notably elevated, while earthquake risk (63.61) and flood risk (57.89) add to the overall exposure.

Mid-range risk within Missouri

Polk County's composite score of 54.48 sits just above Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it firmly in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county's wildfire and tornado risks are particular concerns compared to statewide patterns.

Higher risk than Pike, lower than Platte

Polk County (54.48) faces greater overall risk than Pike County (40.30) and Randolph County (35.85), but less than nearby Platte County (71.37). Its wildfire exposure (72.20) is the highest among nearby counties, reflecting the county's geographical and landscape characteristics.

Wildfire and tornado threats lead

Polk County's wildfire risk of 72.20 and tornado risk of 73.47 are the primary concerns, both substantially elevated compared to state averages. Earthquake risk (63.61) and flood risk (57.89) round out a multi-faceted hazard profile requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Plan for fire and wind damage

Polk County residents should ensure homeowners insurance covers both wildfire and tornado damage, with particular attention to wind coverage limits. Creating defensible space around homes and clearing gutters regularly mitigates wildfire risk, while securing roof structures protects against tornado winds.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Polk County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    64th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Polk County

Risk Verdict

At the 54th percentile nationally, Polk County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Polk County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Polk County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (64th percentile), flood (58th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Polk County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 73th percentile nationally. In Polk County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 72th percentile nationally means Polk County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Polk County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Polk County households.

Regional Context

At 3.9 points from the Missouri county mean, Polk County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Polk 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 Polk County, MO?
Polk County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th 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 Polk County?
Polk County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (73th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (64th percentile), flooding (58th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 73th 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 Polk County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Polk County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Polk County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Polk County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Polk County's tornado risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Polk County is at the 58th 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 Polk County higher risk than average?
Polk County's composite risk score of 54th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (73th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and flooding 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

Ste. Genevieve County

Missouri

+0.1

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Johnson County

Missouri

+0.4

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Crawford County

Missouri

+0.5

Relatively Low

55th 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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