Clay County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Clay County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.8, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $113M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.53 / yr | $26M |
| Hail | High | 8.47 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | High | 14.84 / yr | $12M |
| Tornado | High | 0.27 / yr | $21M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.04 / yr | $43M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.85 / yr | $642K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.21 / yr | $266K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.20 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.91 / yr | $845K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $225K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $763K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.44 / yr | $964K |
| Drought | Low | 12.68 / yr | $125K |
| 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 Clay County?
Clay County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clay County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $26M EAL), Hail (High, $7M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clay County compare to other Missouri counties?
Clay County ranks #7 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Clay County's $113M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.