Cooper County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Cooper County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.4, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.42 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 15.36 / yr | $589K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $379K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.98 / yr | $83K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $863 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.53 / yr | $54K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 4.64 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.41 / yr | $291K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.00 / yr | $108K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.63 / yr | $65K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 Cooper County?
Cooper County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cooper County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $589K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cooper County compare to other Missouri counties?
Cooper County ranks #104 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. Cooper County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.