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

Ste. Genevieve County Disaster Risk

Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri

Ste. Genevieve County: Moderately Elevated Risk

Ste. Genevieve County's composite risk score of 54.61 rates as "Relatively Low" but slightly exceeds the national average. Residents face somewhat above-typical natural disaster exposure compared to most Americans.

Slightly Above Missouri's Average Risk

At 54.61, Ste. Genevieve County marginally exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the state's moderate-risk tier. The county's hazard profile reflects typical exposure for the region.

Middle-Ground Risk Among Regional Counties

Ste. Genevieve County (54.61) sits between safer communities like St. Clair County (25.64) and higher-risk areas like St. Francois County (78.53). Its position reflects moderate but meaningful disaster exposure.

Earthquakes and Tornadoes Lead Threats

Ste. Genevieve County's highest risks are earthquake (81.65) and tornado (57.89), followed by moderate flood (52.61) and lower wildfire (36.23) danger. Earthquake preparedness deserves special emphasis for county residents.

Solid Coverage Protects Against Main Threats

Ste. Genevieve County homeowners should prioritize earthquake and tornado coverage as their insurance foundation, supplemented by flood protection if in a vulnerable area. These targeted policies address the county's primary hazard profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ste. Genevieve County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    53th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ste. Genevieve County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Ste. Genevieve County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 55th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Ste. Genevieve County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Ste. Genevieve County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (53th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 82th percentile nationally puts Ste. Genevieve County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Tornado, at the 58th percentile nationally in Ste. Genevieve County, adds a weather-dependent hazard layer to what is otherwise a seismic-dominated risk profile. Ste. Genevieve County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Ste. Genevieve County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Missouri county average, with a 4.1-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO?
Ste. Genevieve County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Ste. Genevieve County?
Ste. Genevieve County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (82th percentile), tornado (58th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 82th 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 Ste. Genevieve County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Ste. Genevieve County's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ste. Genevieve County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Ste. Genevieve County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Ste. Genevieve County's earthquake risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Ste. Genevieve County is at the 53th 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 Ste. Genevieve County higher risk than average?
Ste. Genevieve County's composite risk score of 55th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (82th percentile), along with tornado 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

Polk County

Missouri

-0.1

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Johnson County

Missouri

+0.3

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Crawford County

Missouri

+0.4

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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