Warren County Disaster Risk
Warren County, Missouri
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#49
of 115 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
61th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Missouri
Warren County near-average national risk
Warren County's composite risk score of 55.34 earns a Relatively Low rating and falls slightly above the national average. This modest elevation suggests Warren residents face somewhat greater cumulative natural disaster exposure than typical Americans, though far from extreme.
Slightly elevated for Missouri
Warren County's 55.34 score exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, positioning it in the mid-to-upper tier of statewide risk. The county's location on the border between low-risk western and higher-risk central Missouri creates a blended hazard profile.
Moderate risk in central corridor
Warren County (55.34) sits between lower-risk Vernon (45.96) to the west and higher-risk Washington (67.78) to the south and east. The county's position reflects the transition zone where central Missouri's hazard intensification begins to mount.
Earthquakes and floods lead concerns
Earthquake risk reaches 73.28 and flood risk 61.20, the county's dominant hazards and both well above state averages, reflecting central Missouri's seismic and hydrologic exposure. Tornado (55.25) and wildfire (56.55) risks are moderate, making earthquake resilience a distinctive planning priority.
Earthquake coverage essential
Warren County's 73.28 earthquake score makes a separate earthquake endorsement or policy a necessity, not optional coverage. Combine this with standard homeowners coverage and flood insurance for properties in or near river corridors to address the county's dual hazard exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Warren County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Warren County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 55th, Warren County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 73th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Warren County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Flood at the 61th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Warren County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Warren County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
Warren County tracks the Missouri county average closely, sitting 4.8 composite points above the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Missouri.
Is your household prepared for Warren County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Warren County, MO?
What types of natural hazards affect Warren County?
How does Warren County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Is Warren County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Warren County 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.