Benton County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Benton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.8, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.04 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.21 / yr | $495K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $263K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.00 / yr | $902K |
| Drought | Medium | 9.57 / yr | $483K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $110K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.55 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.58 / yr | $79K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.46 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $974K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $288K |
| Hail | Low | 5.85 / yr | $217K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| 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 Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $495K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $263K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Missouri counties?
Benton County ranks #34 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Benton County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.