Howard County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Howard County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.8, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.52 / yr | $33K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.68 / yr | $748K |
| Drought | Low | 13.76 / yr | $257K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $189K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.47 / yr | $641K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.87 / yr | $47K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.53 / yr | $34K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.31 / yr | $99K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 3.07 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.29 / yr | $159K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.24 / yr | $56K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| 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 Howard County?
Howard County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Howard County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $33K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $748K EAL), Drought (Low, $257K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Howard County compare to other Missouri counties?
Howard County ranks #110 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. Howard County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.