Buchanan County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Buchanan County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.4, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.61 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.26 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.53 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.42 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.26 / yr | $25K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.38 / yr | $702K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.32 / yr | $164K |
| Drought | Medium | 18.69 / yr | $633K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.78 / yr | $262K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.71 / yr | $13M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $78K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $219K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | 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 Buchanan County?
Buchanan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Buchanan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Buchanan County compare to other Missouri counties?
Buchanan County ranks #25 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. Buchanan County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.