riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Wayne County Disaster Risk

Wayne County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

67th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#33

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Wayne County

Risk Verdict

Wayne County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 67th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Wayne County, scoring in the 86th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 70th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (69th), wildfire (47th), hurricane (36th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Wayne County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Wayne County is significantly riskier than the average county in Missouri. Its composite risk score is 16.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Wayne County, MO?
Wayne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (86th percentile), tornado (70th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 86th 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 Wayne County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Wayne County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wayne County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Wayne County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Wayne County's earthquake risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wayne County is at the 69th 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 Wayne County higher risk than average?
Wayne County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (86th 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

Lincoln County

Missouri

+0.1

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Benton County

Missouri

-0.2

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Christian County

Missouri

-0.5

Relatively Low

66th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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