Missouri Environment & Hazard Risk
3 counties rated high or very high risk. 64,216 storm events since 1996, #4 among states.
- Expected yearly loss
- $3.94B
- $641 per person
- Storm events since 1996
- 64,216
- Most often hail
- Flood insurance policies
- 10,574
- $963M in claims paid
- Superfund sites
- 39
- 517 toxic release facilities
Risk by county
FEMA National Risk Index rating, highest risk first
| County | Overall risk | Top hazard | Flood policies | Flood claims paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County | High | Heat wave | 2,070 | $265M |
| St. Louis city | High | Heat wave | 135 | $10.14M |
| Jackson County | High | Tornado | 527 | $45.75M |
| St. Charles County | Moderate | Strong wind | 1,076 | $156M |
| Jefferson County | Moderate | Strong wind | 591 | $69.26M |
| Greene County | Moderate | Ice storm | 179 | $3.36M |
| Clay County | Moderate | Cold wave | 258 | $11.15M |
| Camden County | Moderate | Landslide | 224 | $1.71M |
| Boone County | Moderate | Heat wave | 129 | $4.06M |
| Cape Girardeau County | Moderate | Earthquake | 54 | $11.16M |
| Jasper County | Moderate | Ice storm | 121 | $2.86M |
| Taney County | Moderate | Ice storm | 141 | $18.55M |
| Franklin County | Moderate | Strong wind | 156 | $32.23M |
| Butler County | Moderate | Earthquake | 261 | $10.13M |
| Dunklin County | Low | Earthquake | 243 | $399K |
| Scott County | Low | Earthquake | 665 | $4.42M |
| St. Francois County | Low | Heat wave | 51 | $2.8M |
| Pemiscot County | Low | Earthquake | 308 | $746K |
| Howell County | Low | Ice storm | 24 | $3.59M |
| Newton County | Low | Ice storm | 143 | $5.39M |
| Stone County | Low | Strong wind | 50 | $2.13M |
| Morgan County | Low | Ice storm | 72 | $162K |
| Barry County | Low | Ice storm | 6 | $2.13M |
| Cass County | Low | Hail | 102 | $5.42M |
| Buchanan County | Low | Hail | 215 | $22.87M |
| Stoddard County | Low | Earthquake | 138 | $1.06M |
| Cole County | Low | Heat wave | 83 | $7.58M |
| New Madrid County | Low | Earthquake | 306 | $2.99M |
| Platte County | Low | Heat wave | 109 | $13.02M |
| Iron County | Low | Heat wave | 37 | $409K |
| Washington County | Low | Heat wave | 10 | $265K |
| Lincoln County | Low | Heat wave | 167 | $37.1M |
| Wayne County | Low | Earthquake | 57 | $3.17M |
| Benton County | Low | Strong wind | 15 | $318K |
| Christian County | Low | Ice storm | 70 | $2.93M |
| Lawrence County | Low | Strong wind | 53 | $657K |
| Laclede County | Low | Ice storm | 18 | $654K |
| McDonald County | Low | Ice storm | 53 | $12.78M |
| Callaway County | Low | Heat wave | 28 | $4.5M |
| Reynolds County | Low | Cold wave | 16 | $3.04M |
| Texas County | Low | Cold wave | 14 | $310K |
| Pettis County | Low | Heat wave | 37 | $335K |
| Pulaski County | Low | Heat wave | 66 | $7.02M |
| Shannon County | Low | Cold wave | 4 | $158K |
| Wright County | Low | Ice storm | 3 | $93.11K |
| Mississippi County | Low | Earthquake | 217 | $4.37M |
| Ripley County | Low | Earthquake | 87 | $12.45M |
| Clinton County | Low | Hail | 15 | $66.74K |
| Warren County | Low | Heat wave | 42 | $2.31M |
| Miller County | Low | Ice storm | 16 | $553K |
| Crawford County | Low | Heat wave | 21 | $6.1M |
| Johnson County | Low | Cold wave | 68 | $307K |
| Ste. Genevieve County | Low | Heat wave | 43 | $6.97M |
| Polk County | Low | Ice storm | 3 | $133K |
| Carter County | Low | Earthquake | 37 | $5.45M |
| Phelps County | Low | Heat wave | 76 | $11.55M |
| Henry County | Low | Ice storm | 17 | $8,414 |
| Dent County | Low | Cold wave | 9 | $26.6K |
| Lafayette County | Low | Cold wave | 5 | $276K |
| Saline County | Low | Drought | 9 | $272K |
| Audrain County | Low | Heat wave | 32 | $656K |
| Madison County | Low | Heat wave | 25 | $2.61M |
| Oregon County | Low | Earthquake | 6 | $490K |
| Marion County | Low | Heat wave | 50 | $11.24M |
| Perry County | Low | Strong wind | 17 | $4.97M |
| Vernon County | Low | Drought | 7 | $93.36K |
| Nodaway County | Low | Drought | 7 | $149K |
| Webster County | Low | Ice storm | 9 | $341K |
| Ray County | Low | Landslide | 73 | $2.16M |
| Barton County | Low | Drought | 20 | $270K |
| Dallas County | Very Low | Ice storm | 6 | $27.94K |
| Pike County | Very Low | Heat wave | 58 | $10.49M |
| Montgomery County | Very Low | Heat wave | 5 | $1.29M |
| Macon County | Very Low | Landslide | 4 | $8,285 |
| Randolph County | Very Low | Heat wave | 8 | $1,988 |
| Ozark County | Very Low | Heat wave | 2 | $335K |
| Scotland County | Very Low | Heat wave | - | - |
| Osage County | Very Low | Heat wave | 34 | $3.38M |
| Carroll County | Very Low | Drought | 15 | $3.69M |
| Gasconade County | Very Low | Heat wave | 36 | $8.07M |
| Linn County | Very Low | Drought | 6 | $215K |
| Moniteau County | Very Low | Ice storm | 7 | $261K |
| Bates County | Very Low | Strong wind | 9 | $646K |
| Daviess County | Very Low | Drought | - | $609K |
| Chariton County | Very Low | Drought | 22 | $821K |
| Harrison County | Very Low | Drought | 2 | $157K |
| Gentry County | Very Low | Drought | - | $35.55K |
| Adair County | Very Low | Landslide | 5 | $531K |
| Grundy County | Very Low | Drought | 2 | $158K |
| Lewis County | Very Low | Heat wave | 27 | $3.51M |
| Bollinger County | Very Low | Earthquake | 14 | $2.29M |
| Cedar County | Very Low | Ice storm | 2 | - |
| St. Clair County | Very Low | Drought | - | - |
| Douglas County | Very Low | Ice storm | 1 | - |
| Hickory County | Very Low | Ice storm | - | $341K |
| Dade County | Very Low | Ice storm | - | - |
| Livingston County | Very Low | Drought | 2 | $317K |
| Andrew County | Very Low | Landslide | 29 | $4M |
| Clark County | Very Low | Heat wave | 28 | $7.55M |
| Atchison County | Very Low | Drought | 7 | $4.99M |
| Monroe County | Very Low | Heat wave | 3 | $199K |
| Knox County | Very Low | Heat wave | - | $1.06M |
| Maries County | Very Low | Ice storm | 12 | $2.99M |
| Cooper County | Very Low | Heat wave | 5 | $137K |
| DeKalb County | Very Low | Drought | 1 | $99.06K |
| Shelby County | Very Low | Lightning | 1 | $80.57K |
| Holt County | Very Low | Drought | 199 | $39.32M |
| Caldwell County | Very Low | Drought | 1 | $271 |
| Ralls County | Very Low | Heat wave | 15 | $929K |
| Howard County | Very Low | Landslide | 9 | $859K |
| Mercer County | Very Low | Landslide | - | - |
| Sullivan County | Very Low | Landslide | - | $329 |
| Putnam County | Very Low | Landslide | 1 | $3,122 |
| Worth County | Very Low | Heat wave | - | - |
| Schuyler County | Very Low | Landslide | - | - |
Costliest hazards
Expected annual loss in Missouri, all counties combined
- Heat wave$711M/yr · 5 counties high
- Earthquake$463M/yr · 2 counties high
- Tornado$450M/yr · 9 counties high
- Cold wave$321M/yr · 8 counties high
- Strong wind$123M/yr · 20 counties high
- Hail$123M/yr · 4 counties high
- Ice storm$57.09M/yr · 39 counties high
- Drought$46.55M/yr · 6 counties high
- Lightning$43.41M/yr · 11 counties high
- Winter weather$14.98M/yr · 9 counties high
Storm events by type
Since 1996: 854 deaths, $11.97B in property and crop damage
- Hail16,775
- Thunderstorm Wind16,122 · 44 deaths
- Flash Flood6,252 · 113 deaths
- Flood4,578 · 47 deaths
- Winter Storm3,097 · 19 deaths
- Heat2,581 · 204 deaths
- Drought2,483
- Tornado1,784 · 274 deaths
- Winter Weather1,572 · 33 deaths
- Excessive Heat1,222 · 69 deaths
- Heavy Rain1,045 · 2 deaths
- Dense Fog1,043 · 5 deaths
Events per year
Most damaging storms
Since 2017, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage
- TornadoEF0, 6.61 mi path, 1,750 yd wide05/16/2025
Tower Grove, St. Louis city
4 deaths, 38 injured, $1.6B damage
What happened
The tornado was its widest and strongest in St. Louis City. After it crossed into the City, the tornado caused major tree and structural damage in and around Forest Park and its northern neighborhoods. The then EF-3 tornado continued northeast into North St. Louis City where 4 individuals lost their lives. Continuing northeast still, the tornado began to weaken. Overall, thousands of buildings were damaged in St. Louis City costing an estimated $1.6 billion in damages.
- Drought11/01/2022
Douglas
350 injured
What happened
Drought conditions improved across Morgan County by the end of November. The US Drought Monitor indicated that Abnormally Dry (D0) drought conditions remained at the end of the month after several rainfall events helped ease drought conditions below severe (D2) drought levels. Impacts across the region were primarily felt in larger scale agriculture with farm and stock ponds low but improved. Dry conditions caused grasses to dry and significantly impact hay production causing losses in hay cutting. Many farmers saw impacts to row crops such as soy beans, corn and other specialty crops.
- Hail4.75" hail04/28/2026
Republic, Greene County
$318M damage
What happened
A hail swath from a mile to 3 miles wide began southwest of Republic and continued to the northeast across Greene County. Hail from quarters to 4.75 inches in size fell along a path from Republic to northwestern Springfield to Fair Grove as an intensifying left moving supercell moved to the northeast across the County. Along the storms path, numerous homes, vehicles, businesses, equipment, crops, livestock and other structures were damaged by hail before the storm passed into northwestern Webster County. ||As the storm moved across northwestern Springfield, it moved over the Springfield-Branson National Airport where 4 commuter jets, two cargo jets and up to 25 general aviation aircraft were on the TARMAC. Over 1200 vehicles were in the short and long term parking lot. The storm them moved over the Springfield Zoo killing an Emu and injuring another. At least two dozen people were injured by hail by being outside during the hail.
- TornadoEF3, 17.13 mi path, 1,500 yd wide05/23/2019
Scrivner, Cole County
32 injured, $170M damage
What happened
A tornado crossed from Miller County (WFO Springfield���s County Warning Area) into Cole County at 1120 PM. As the tornado tracked to the northeast it crossed Lake Carmel and tore the roof off of a one story home on the northeast shore of the lake. Numerous trees were either snapped off or uprooted in the area as well. Damage to the home was rated EF2. Further northeast another one story home lost its roof on Highway D just northwest of intersection with Cole Brook Lane. Damage to this home was rated EF2. The tornado strengthened from an EF-2 to an EF-3 as it moved into a subdivision off of Heritage Highway just west of U.S. Highway 54, indicated by the complete collapse of a home and complete destruction of a double wide manufactured home. As the tornado moved northeast into the Jefferson City area it destroyed or greatly damaged a warehouse and car dealership, where at least 750 cars were totaled. As it moved into downtown Jefferson City, it caused severe damage to well made residential structures. The tornado crossed the Missouri River and entered Callaway County just to the east-northeast of Jefferson City. The tornado was rated EF3 in Cole County with a path length of...
- Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind07/20/2018
Notch, Stone County
17 deaths
What happened
A line of severe thunderstorms producing 50 to 70 mph winds caused wind damage across Stone County. On Table Rock Lake, winds of over 60 mph led to high waves. An amphibious tourist vehicle sank with seventeen fatalities and numerous injuries reported.
- Hail4" hail04/28/2026
Verona, Lawrence County
$120M damage
What happened
A hail swath from a mile to 3 miles wide began near southwest of Aurora and continued to the northeast across southeastern Lawrence County. Hail from quarters to softballs in size fell along a path from Aurora to Marionville as an intensifying left moving supercell moved to the northeast across the County. Along the storms path, numerous homes, vehicles, businesses, equipment, crops, livestock and other structures were damaged by hail before the storm passed into far western Christian County.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Storms whose track crossed the state, newest first
- Hurricane Beryl (2024)06/28/2024 · Landfall: TX · 932 mbCategory 5167 mph peak
- Hurricane Laura (2020)08/20/2020 · Landfall: LA · 937 mbCategory 4150 mph peak
- Tropical Storm Cristobal (2020)06/02/2020 · Landfall: LA · 982 mbTropical storm58 mph peak
- Hurricane Barry (2019)07/10/2019 · Landfall: LA · 993 mbCategory 175 mph peak
- Hurricane Irma (2017)08/30/2017 · Landfall: VI, FL · 914 mbCategory 5178 mph peak
- Tropical Storm Bill (2015)06/16/2015 · Landfall: TX · 997 mbTropical storm58 mph peak
- Hurricane Isaac (2012)08/20/2012 · Landfall: LA · 965 mbCategory 181 mph peak
- Hurricane Ike (2008)09/01/2008 · Landfall: TX · 935 mbCategory 4144 mph peak
- Hurricane Gustav (2008)08/25/2008 · Landfall: LA · 941 mbCategory 4155 mph peak
- Hurricane Rita (2005)09/18/2005 · Landfall: LA · 895 mbCategory 5178 mph peak
Flood insurance
National Flood Insurance Program policies and claims
10,574 homes in Missouri have flood insurance, about 0.4% of residential buildings. In high-risk flood zones, 7,660 of 40,540 homes (19%) are insured.
- Midwest Flooding$167M · 5,738 claims
- Early winter storms$74.32M · 1,485 claims
- Flooding$74.14M · 6,797 claims
- Late spring severe storms$68.8M · 1,303 claims
- Late July Flooding$46.07M · 648 claims
- Hurricane Ike$41.28M · 1,069 claims
Drinking water
1,434 community water systems serve about 5,712,206 people
Since 2021, 219 systems reported 503 health-based violations. 374 systems had a violation of any kind still open at last report. These had the most:
- Clubb Villa Senior LivingServes 110 · Groundwater · Private23 health violations+18 monitoring or reporting
- Monroe City PwsServes 2,500 · Surface water · Local government17 health violations+22 monitoring or reporting
- Maysville PwsServes 1,096 · Purchased groundwater · Local government17 health violations+9 monitoring or reporting
- Blodgett PwsServes 300 · Groundwater · Local government15 health violations+28 monitoring or reporting
- Silex PwsServes 206 · Purchased surface water · Local government15 health violations+12 monitoring or reporting
- Mo American IrontonServes 1,460 · Surface water · Private12 health violations
- Louisiana PwsServes 3,244 · Surface water · Local government10 health violations+10 monitoring or reporting
- Mosby PwsServes 93 · Purchased surface water · Local government10 health violations+7 monitoring or reporting
Select a county above to see every system that serves it.
Climate in the largest cities
1991-2020 normals from the nearest NOAA weather station
| City | July high | Jan low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 90°F | 22°F | 38.1 in | 11.0 in |
| St. Louis | 90°F | 25°F | 43.9 in | - |
| Springfield | 88°F | 23°F | 46.5 in | - |
| Columbia | 89°F | 23°F | 44.8 in | 17.4 in |
| Independence | 87°F | 19°F | 44.7 in | 13.2 in |
| Lee's Summit | 88°F | 22°F | 38.3 in | - |
| O'Fallon | 88°F | 21°F | 44.4 in | 13.5 in |
| St. Charles | 88°F | 22°F | 45.7 in | 9.0 in |
Pollution sites
39 Superfund sites and 517 toxic release facilities
Superfund sites
- Armour RoadFinal NPL Site, North Kansas City
- Bee Cee Manufacturing co.Final NPL Site, Malden
- Big River Mine Tailings/st. Joe Minerals Corp.Final NPL Site, Desloge
- Compass Plaza Well TCEFinal NPL Site, Rogersville
- Conservation Chemical co.Final NPL Site, Kansas City
- Ellisville SiteFinal NPL Site, Ellisville
- Fulbright LandfillFinal NPL Site, Springfield
- Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (Northwest Lagoon)Final NPL Site, Independence
Largest toxic releases
- Buick Mine/Mill9.2 million lbs, Boss
- Buick Resource Recycling Facility LLC7.7 million lbs, Boss
- Sweetwater Mine/Mill5.2 million lbs, Ellington
- Brushy Creek Mine/Mill4.9 million lbs, Boss
- Fletcher Mine/Mill4.6 million lbs, Centerville
- Ford Motor Company--Kansas City Assembly Plant1.3 million lbs, Claycomo
- National Beef Leathers LLC1.2 million lbs, Saint Joseph
- Associated Electric Cooperative Inc New Madrid Power Plant1.2 million lbs, Marston
Facilities in Missouri reported 52.8 million lbs of toxic releases in 2024, 8.9 million lbs of it into the air.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the biggest natural hazard in Missouri?
- By expected annual loss, heat wave costs the most in Missouri ($711M a year), according to FEMA's National Risk Index.
- How many storms hit Missouri each year?
- NOAA recorded 64,216 storm events in Missouri since 1996, about 2,071 a year. The most common type is hail.
- How many homes in Missouri have flood insurance?
- 10,574 residential flood insurance policies are in force in Missouri. Since 1978 the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $963M on 49,098 claims here.
- How many Superfund sites are in Missouri?
- Missouri has 39 Superfund sites on or deleted from EPA's National Priorities List.
Source: FEMA, NOAA, EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch each county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.