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

Stone County Disaster Risk

Stone County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

77th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stone County, Missouri

Stone County's disaster risk profile

Stone County scores 76.75 on composite risk, earning a Relatively Low rating—a meaningful finding since the national average sits around 50. This puts Stone County above the typical U.S. county in overall exposure to natural hazards, though many counties nationwide face higher cumulative risk.

Where Stone ranks in Missouri

Stone County's 76.75 composite score significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the higher-risk counties in the state. This above-average exposure reflects the county's geography and exposure to multiple hazard types across the Ozark region.

Stone vs. nearby Taney and Barry

Stone County's 76.75 risk score sits between less-exposed Sullivan County (10.11) and the more-exposed Taney County (84.03) in the immediate region. Within the Ozark cluster, Stone faces notably higher flood and wildfire threats than western Missouri counties but lower overall risk than its southeastern neighbors.

Floods and wildfires top the list

Flood risk dominates Stone County at 74.65, reflecting the area's stream systems and Ozark terrain, while wildfire risk reaches 64.09—both well above state norms. Tornado exposure (69.15) rounds out the county's top three hazards, making spring storm preparedness essential for residents.

Secure coverage for water and wind

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes flood damage, making a separate NFIP or private flood policy critical for Stone County residents. Review your wind and hail coverage as well, since tornadoes and severe convection pose annual threats across the Ozarks.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stone County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    66th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Stone County

Risk Verdict

At the 77th percentile nationally, Stone County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Stone County.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Stone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (66th percentile), wildfire (64th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Stone County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, tornado at the 69th percentile nationally, means Stone County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Stone County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Stone County falls 26.2 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 Stone 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 Stone County, MO?
Stone County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 77th 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 Stone County?
Stone County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (75th percentile), tornado (69th percentile), earthquake (66th percentile), wildfire (64th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 75th 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 Stone County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Stone County's composite risk percentile is 77th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Stone County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Stone County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Stone County's flooding risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 Stone County higher risk than average?
Stone County's composite risk score of 77th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (75th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.