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

Sullivan County Disaster Risk

Sullivan County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#112

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

12th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sullivan County, Missouri

Sullivan County ranks among safest

Sullivan County's composite risk score of 10.11 earns a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average and in the safer tier of U.S. counties. This low exposure suggests residents face relatively modest cumulative natural disaster threats compared to the broader American landscape.

Missouri's lowest-risk county

Sullivan County's 10.11 composite score is dramatically lower than Missouri's 50.56 state average, making it one of the state's safest jurisdictions. This exceptional resilience reflects the county's geography and lower exposure across most major hazard categories.

Sheltered compared to peers

Sullivan County (10.11) stands apart from surrounding counties like Putnam and Adair, offering notably lower cumulative risk exposure. Even within northern Missouri's generally moderate-risk profile, Sullivan emerges as an outlier refuge from natural disaster threats.

Wildfire and tornado deserve attention

Wildfire risk reaches 42.62 and tornado risk hits 47.71 in Sullivan County, the highest relative hazards in the region though still below state averages. Flood exposure (12.37) and earthquake risk (21.76) remain minimal, giving residents a clearer, more manageable risk profile.

Standard coverage typically sufficient

Sullivan County's low overall risk means a standard homeowners policy generally provides adequate protection for most residents. Still, review tornado and severe wind provisions with your agent to ensure adequate wind damage coverage during spring storm season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sullivan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    22th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sullivan County

Risk Verdict

Sullivan County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 10th percentile nationally. The 10th percentile national ranking is one lens; Sullivan County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Sullivan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 48th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (22th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), flood (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Sullivan County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 48th percentile nationally. For Sullivan County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 43th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Sullivan County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Sullivan County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Missouri county average exceeds Sullivan County's score by 40.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Sullivan 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 Sullivan County, MO?
Sullivan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Sullivan County?
Sullivan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (48th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), flooding (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 48th 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 Sullivan County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Sullivan County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Sullivan County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Sullivan County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Sullivan County's tornado risk is at the 48th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Sullivan County is at the 12th 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.
Is Sullivan County a safe place to live?
Sullivan County's composite risk score of 10th percentile is below the Missouri state average of 51th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 48th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Putnam County

Missouri

-1.9

Very Low

8th percentile

Worth County

Missouri

-1.9

Very Low

8th percentile

Mercer County

Missouri

+2.2

Very Low

12th 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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