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

Schuyler County Disaster Risk

Schuyler County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#115

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

6th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Schuyler County, Missouri

Schuyler County ranks among nation's safest

Schuyler County's composite risk score of just 3.63 places it among the lowest-risk counties in the United States, earning a 'Very Low' rating. This exceptional safety profile makes it a statistical outlier compared to typical U.S. counties across virtually all natural hazard categories.

Lowest-risk county in Missouri

Schuyler County's 3.63 composite score stands far below Missouri's 50.56 state average, making it by far the safest county in the state. No other Missouri county approaches Schuyler's remarkably low multi-hazard exposure.

Dramatically safer than regional peers

Schuyler County's 3.63 score is an outlier compared to neighboring Scotland County (32.95) and other surrounding counties, all of which carry substantially higher composite risk. The county enjoys a uniquely favorable natural disaster profile within north-central Missouri.

All hazards minimal, wildfire slightly elevated

Schuyler County faces remarkably low exposure across all natural hazards, with wildfire risk (41.16) representing the highest individual category—still below many county averages. Tornado (38.36), earthquake (21.09), and flood risks (6.14) all rank exceptionally low, making this county virtually safe from major natural disasters.

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Schuyler County residents enjoy exceptional safety, making standard homeowner insurance generally adequate for natural disaster protection. Property owners can focus preparedness efforts on routine maintenance and ensuring emergency communication plans rather than specialized hazard coverage, given the county's remarkably low overall risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Schuyler County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    41th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    38th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    21th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Schuyler County

Risk Verdict

Schuyler County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 4th percentile nationally. At the 4th percentile, Schuyler 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

Wildfire risk is Schuyler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 41th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 38th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile), flood (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Schuyler County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 41th percentile nationally. Schuyler County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's tornado exposure at the 38th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Schuyler County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Missouri county average exceeds Schuyler County's score by 46.9 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Schuyler 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 Schuyler County, MO?
Schuyler County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Schuyler County?
Schuyler County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (41th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile), flooding (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 41th 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 Schuyler County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Schuyler County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Schuyler County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Schuyler County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Schuyler County's wildfire risk is at the 41th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Schuyler County is at the 6th 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 Schuyler County a safe place to live?
Schuyler County's composite risk score of 4th 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 wildfire at the 41th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Worth County

Missouri

+4.6

Very Low

8th percentile

Putnam County

Missouri

+4.6

Very Low

8th percentile

Sullivan County

Missouri

+6.5

Very Low

10th 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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