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

Stoddard County Disaster Risk

Stoddard County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

74th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

42th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stoddard County, Missouri

Stoddard County: Elevated National Risk Profile

Stoddard County's composite risk score of 74.30 rates as "Relatively Low" but exceeds most national communities' hazard exposure. Residents face significantly above-average natural disaster threats compared to typical Americans.

Above Missouri's State Average Risk

At 74.30, Stoddard County exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56 by nearly 50 percent, positioning it in the state's higher-risk group. The county experiences substantially more hazard exposure than most Missouri communities.

Among Region's Higher-Risk Counties

Stoddard County (74.30) approaches St. Francois County (78.53) in overall risk, both substantially exceeding safer nearby areas like Shelby County (15.94) and St. Clair County (25.64). It represents the higher-hazard end of the regional spectrum.

Tornadoes and Earthquakes Dominate Profile

Stoddard County residents face severe tornado risk (75.29) and catastrophic earthquake danger (95.48), with notable hurricane risk (49.06) adding complexity. Tornado and earthquake preparedness should be central to any disaster plan.

Multi-Hazard Coverage Essential

Stoddard County homeowners must prioritize tornado and earthquake insurance given the county's exceptional exposure to both hazards. Consider additional hurricane protection as well, particularly for properties in vulnerable locations.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stoddard County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    49th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Stoddard County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Stoddard County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 74th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Stoddard County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Stoddard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (49th percentile), flood (42th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 95th percentile nationally puts Stoddard 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 75th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Stoddard County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Stoddard 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

Stoddard County is 23.7 composite risk points above the Missouri average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Stoddard 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 Stoddard County, MO?
Stoddard County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 74th 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 Stoddard County?
Stoddard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (95th percentile), tornado (75th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile), flooding (42th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 95th 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 Stoddard County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Stoddard County's composite risk percentile is 74th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Stoddard County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Stoddard County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Stoddard County's earthquake risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Stoddard County is at the 42th 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 Stoddard County higher risk than average?
Stoddard County's composite risk score of 74th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (95th percentile), along with tornado 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

Buchanan County

Missouri

+0.1

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Cass County

Missouri

+0.6

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Barry County

Missouri

+0.8

Relatively Low

75th 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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