Bates County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Bates County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.5, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.45 / yr | $818K |
| Hail | Low | 7.29 / yr | $402K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.95 / yr | $587K |
| Drought | Low | 7.76 / yr | $249K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.11 / yr | $946K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.89 / yr | $51K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $179K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $51K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $629 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.23 / yr | $51K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bates County?
Bates County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bates County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $818K EAL), Hail (Low, $402K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $587K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bates County compare to other Missouri counties?
Bates County ranks #83 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Bates County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.