St. Louis city Disaster Risk
St. Louis city, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
99th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#2
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
97th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. Louis city, Missouri
St. Louis City: Among Nation's Highest-Risk
St. Louis City's composite risk score of 98.70 rates as "Relatively High," making it one of America's most hazard-exposed urban centers. Residents face natural disaster risks far exceeding the national average.
Missouri's Most Dangerous Urban Center
At 98.70, St. Louis City nearly doubles Missouri's state average of 50.56, ranking among the state's highest-risk areas. Few Missouri communities face comparable overall disaster exposure.
Comparable Risk to St. Louis County Across River
St. Louis City (98.70) has nearly identical risk to adjacent St. Louis County (99.33), together forming one of America's highest-risk metropolitan areas. Both face severe multi-hazard environments unlike safer surrounding regions.
Tornadoes, Floods, and Earthquakes Triple Threat
St. Louis City confronts extreme tornado risk (98.86), severe flood danger (96.98), and significant earthquake exposure (98.47). This unique triple-hazard combination makes comprehensive disaster planning essential.
Maximum Protection Non-Negotiable Here
St. Louis City residents cannot afford to skip flood, tornado, or earthquake insurance—all three are critical given the city's exceptional hazard exposure. Review your coverage immediately and consider additional protective measures like storm-resistant retrofits.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. Louis city
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. Louis city
Risk Verdict
With a national rank of 99th percentile, St. Louis city faces above-average natural disaster pressure across several hazard categories. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in St. Louis city.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is St. Louis city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 98th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (97th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
St. Louis city's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 99th percentile nationally. In St. Louis city, 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. Earthquake, ranking at the 98th percentile nationally for St. Louis city, represents a separate preparedness dimension from tornado risk and typically requires different protective actions. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when St. Louis city residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to St. Louis city households.
Regional Context
St. Louis city falls 48.1 points above Missouri's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for St. Louis city's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in St. Louis city, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect St. Louis city?
How does St. Louis city risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is St. Louis city at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. Louis city 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.