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

Randolph County Disaster Risk

Randolph County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#75

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Randolph County, Missouri

Randolph County shows low risk overall

Randolph County scores 35.85 on the composite risk scale, below the national average with a very low risk rating overall. Tornado risk (67.65) stands out as notably elevated compared to other hazards, while earthquake (60.31) and flood (37.40) risks are moderate.

Low-risk county within Missouri

Randolph County's composite score of 35.85 sits well below Missouri's state average of 50.56, positioning it among the state's safer counties. Tornado risk remains above state norms despite the county's otherwise favorable risk profile.

Comparable to Pike, safer than Phelps

Randolph County (35.85) is comparable in safety to Pike County (40.30) and significantly safer than Phelps County (53.72), Polk County (54.48), and Pulaski County (60.53). Only Putnam County (8.24) and Ralls County (14.06) surpass Randolph's favorable risk position in the broader region.

Tornado risk requires attention

Randolph County's tornado risk of 67.65 is notably higher than the state average, making severe spring storms a significant concern for residents. Earthquake risk (60.31) is secondary, while flood (37.40), wildfire (38.36), and hurricane (14.60) risks remain relatively modest.

Tornado preparedness is important

Randolph County residents should prioritize access to a safe room and keep homeowners insurance current with adequate wind coverage for tornado damage. Adding earthquake insurance provides protection against the county's secondary seismic risk, creating a well-rounded insurance strategy.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Randolph County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    60th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Randolph County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Randolph County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 36th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Randolph County's favorable 36th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Randolph County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (38th percentile), flood (37th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 68th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Randolph County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Randolph County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 60th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Randolph County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Randolph County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Randolph County is 14.7 composite risk points below the Missouri state mean, meaning most other Missouri counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Randolph 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 Randolph County, MO?
Randolph County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Randolph County?
Randolph County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (68th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), flooding (37th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 68th 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 Randolph County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Randolph County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Randolph County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Randolph County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Randolph County's tornado risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Randolph County is at the 37th 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 Randolph County a safe place to live?
Randolph County's composite risk score of 36th 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 tornado at the 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ozark County

Missouri

-0.1

Very Low

36th percentile

Macon County

Missouri

+0.9

Very Low

37th percentile

Montgomery County

Missouri

+2.5

Very Low

38th 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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