St. Francois County Disaster Risk
St. Francois County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
79th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#17
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
70th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. Francois County, Missouri
St. Francois County: Above-Average Hazard Exposure
St. Francois County's composite risk score of 78.53 rates as "Relatively Low" nationally but reflects above-average exposure to natural disasters. The county faces significantly higher threats than most of America's safest regions.
Above Missouri's State Average Risk
At 78.53, St. Francois County exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56 by roughly 55 percent, placing it in the state's higher-risk group. The county experiences more hazard exposure than most Missouri communities.
Notably Riskier Than Regional Peers
St. Francois County (78.53) faces substantially higher risk than nearby Shelby County (15.94), St. Clair County (25.64), and Ste. Genevieve County (54.61). Only Stoddard County (74.30) approaches comparable hazard levels in the immediate region.
Tornadoes and Earthquakes Demand Attention
St. Francois County residents face severe tornado risk (85.11) and substantial earthquake danger (91.48), with moderate flood risk (70.36) adding complexity. These three hazards should anchor any disaster preparedness plan.
Robust Coverage Critical for This County
St. Francois County homeowners need comprehensive coverage including tornado, earthquake, and flood protections given the county's multi-hazard profile. Investing in strong insurance now can prevent devastating financial losses later.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. Francois County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. Francois County
Risk Verdict
St. Francois County's FEMA risk score places it at the 79th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for St. Francois County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is St. Francois County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (70th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 91th percentile nationally, St. Francois County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, St. Francois County's tornado risk at the 85th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in St. Francois County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Missouri county average is 28.0 composite points below St. Francois County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for St. Francois County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in St. Francois County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect St. Francois County?
How does St. Francois County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is St. Francois County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. Francois County higher risk than average?
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.