Vernon County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Vernon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.0, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 12.98 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 16.05 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $264K |
| Hail | Low | 6.70 / yr | $391K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.26 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.84 / yr | $78K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $302K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.53 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.89 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.09 / yr | $523K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $930 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.57 / yr | $107K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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 Vernon County?
Vernon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Vernon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $264K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Vernon County compare to other Missouri counties?
Vernon County ranks #66 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. Vernon County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.