Polk County, MO Environment & Hazard Risk
Relatively Low natural hazard risk, led by ice storm. 905 storm events since 1996.
- Expected yearly loss
- $15.54M
- Relatively Low nationally
- Storm events since 1996
- 905
- Most often hail
- Flood insurance policies
- 3
- 0.0% of homes
- Hurricanes nearby
- 0
- Since 1851
Natural hazard risk
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Overall risk
Relatively Low
Score 54.5 of 100
Social vulnerability
Relatively Moderate
Score 58.4 of 100
Community resilience
Relatively Low
Score 39.6 of 100
Community resilience runs the other way: a higher rating means a community can recover faster.
Building value exposed: $6.24B · Agriculture value exposed: $128M · Risk-adjusted yearly loss: $18.86M
Risk by hazard
- Ice stormRelatively High$582K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
- Heat waveRelatively Moderate$1.41M/yr expected annual loss, about 14 events a year
- Strong windRelatively Moderate$997K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.3 events a year
- TornadoRelatively Moderate$2.45M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
- LightningRelatively Moderate$475K/yr expected annual loss, about 55 events a year
- WildfireRelatively Low$177K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 424 years
- Winter weatherRelatively Moderate$117K/yr expected annual loss, about 12 events a year
- HailRelatively Low$444K/yr expected annual loss, about 6.9 events a year
- DroughtRelatively Moderate$349K/yr expected annual loss, about 6.9 events a year
- EarthquakeRelatively Low$479K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 561 years
- Cold waveRelatively Low$814K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.3 events a year
- LandslideVery Low$274/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
- HurricaneVery Low$7,329/yr expected annual loss, about once every 126 years
Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.
Flood risk and insurance
National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA flood maps
Check the flood zone for an address
- Homes with flood insurance
- 3 of 15,270 (0.0%)
- Homes in high-risk flood zones
- 121
- Insured in high-risk zones
- 1 (1%)
- Flood claims since 1978
- 10
- Claims paid since 1978
- $133K
Flood claims paid per year
- Late spring severe storms$22.03K · 1 claim
Storm history
Since 1996: 905 events, 1 death, $78.63M in damage
- Hail257
- Thunderstorm Wind245
- Flash Flood163 · 1 death
- Flood59
- Drought35
- Heavy Rain33
- Tornado29
- Winter Storm27
- Winter Weather16
- Heat9
Events per year
38 tornadoes on record (EF0 10, EF1 11, F0 10, F1 3, F2 3).
Most damaging storms
Since 1996, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage
- Drought08/01/2012
Polk
$17.63M damage
What happened
The U.S Drought Monitor continued to report Extreme Drought (D3) to Exceptional Drought (D4) throughout the month of August. The region started seeing some rainfall by the end of the month. The COOP station near Bolivar reported 2.20 of rainfall for the month of August. The COOP station near Morrisville reported 3.28 of rainfall for the month of August. This is a continuation of the drought that began across the region in June. Across the Missouri Ozarks and southwestern Missouri between 50 and 75 percent of the combined corn, soybeans and hay acreage was reported as a loss due to the drought. Monetary crop loss figures are estimates using information from the National Agricultural Statistics database, local FSA and USDA offices and other local, state or federal agency information. Livestock losses, if they occurred or were reported are listed in the property section.
- Flash Flood12/27/2015
Pleasant Hope, Polk County
1 death, $500K damage
What happened
A 56 year old man was swept off of Highway H by flash flooding of the Pomme De Terre River. Nearly all low water crossings across the county were flooded and several suffered damage. Several county roads sustained damaged from flood water. This storm report will contain the damage estimates for the entire county for this event.
- Hail1.75" hail04/02/2024
Bolivar, Polk County
$9.55M damage
What happened
Hail ranging from baseball to softball in size fell to the northwest, north and east of Bolivar. 200 homes at an average of $32,000 suffered damages to siding, roofs and windows, and 350 cars were damaged, many totaled.
- Flash Flood08/20/2007
Eudora, Polk County
$9M damage
What happened
The remnants of Tropical Storm Erin caused serious flooding across southern and central Polk County. Numerous secondary roads were washed out along with many low water crossings. Specific locations that were flooded include a bridge on Highway W near its intersection with Highway 123, a section of Highway 215 west of Eudora where the Turkey Creek intersects the highway, a section Highway 123 south of Eudora, a few streets in the city of Bolivar, a section of Highway 13 near the Polk and Greene county Line experienced 5 feet of flash flood water, all roads leading in and out of Pleasant Hope became impassable, and areas of Pleasant Hope flooded with a few houses impacted.
- Thunderstorm Wind78 kt wind05/08/2009
Knox, Polk County
1 injured, $7M damage
What happened
Seventy to 90 mph winds caused massive damage across much of Polk County. The central and southern sections of the county was impacted the greatest. Hundreds of outbuildings were either heavily damaged or destroyed. The communities of Bolivar and Pleasant Hope experienced damage to several hundred structures. At Southwest Baptist University, a large tree fell on a car that was occupied by a student. The student was injured and transported to the hospital. The Marion C. Early High School gymnasium experienced significant damage. In Tin Town, a farm experienced signficant damage to the home and all outbuildings.
- Hail1.75" hail04/21/2022
Bolivar, Polk County
$5.5M damage
What happened
Golf ball to tennis ball sized hail and 50 mph winds were reported in Bolivar. Approximately 150 homes suffered severe damage to roofs, siding and windows. An equal number of cars suffered significant damage, with most 2014 model year and older totaled by insurance companies. This damage figure accounts for all damage in Polk County, Missouri for this event.
Latest storm reports
Newest first
- Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind07/11/2026
Bolivar, Polk County
- Flood06/26/2026
Pleasant Hope, Polk County
- Flash Flood06/26/2026
Eudora, Polk County
- Flash Flood06/26/2026
Van, Polk County
- Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind06/25/2026
Pleasant Hope, Polk County
$10K damage
- Hail1" hail06/25/2026
Pleasant Hope, Polk County
- Flash Flood06/14/2026
Goodson, Polk County
- Flash Flood06/14/2026
Rimby, Polk County
Drinking water
14 community water systems serve about 15,180 people. Violations since 2021.
1 system had health-based violations, such as a contaminant over the legal limit or a missed treatment step. 3 systems had a violation of any kind still open at last report.
- Liberty Utilities BolivarServes 11,000 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
- Humansville PwsServes 1,048 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
- Pleasant Hope PwsServes 614 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+2 monitoring or reporting
- Bolivar Southtown Utilities Company INCServes 573 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
- Fair Play PwsServes 475 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
- Morrisville PwsServes 400 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
- Silo RidgeServes 400 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
- Halfway PwsServes 151 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
Largest systems by population served. Monitoring and reporting violations mean required tests or notices were late or missing, not that the water was unsafe.
Climate
1991-2020 normals at Bolivar 1 NE
Summer highs peak around 89°F in Jul and winter lows bottom out near 22°F in Jan. About 46.4 inches of rain falls in a typical year.
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 22°F | 2.31 in |
| Feb | 48°F | 25°F | 2.25 in |
| Mar | 58°F | 34°F | 3.59 in |
| Apr | 68°F | 44°F | 4.96 in |
| May | 76°F | 54°F | 5.90 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 63°F | 4.88 in |
| Jul | 89°F | 67°F | 4.62 in |
| Aug | 88°F | 65°F | 3.71 in |
| Sep | 81°F | 57°F | 4.25 in |
| Oct | 70°F | 45°F | 3.79 in |
| Nov | 57°F | 34°F | 3.42 in |
| Dec | 46°F | 26°F | 2.70 in |
| Year | 56°F average | 46.4 in | |
Pollution sites
0 Superfund sites and 1 toxic release facility in Polk County
Superfund sites
None in this county.
Toxic release facilities
- Tracker Marineunder 1 lb released, Bolivar
Total: under 1 lb in 2024, under 1 lb to air.
Superfund sitesToxic release facilitiesEPA inspections and enforcementAir toxics cancer risk4 historic places
Frequently asked questions
- How risky is Polk County for natural disasters?
- FEMA rates Polk County relatively low for overall natural hazard risk, with expected losses of $15.54M a year. The highest-rated hazards are ice storm (relatively high), heat wave (relatively moderate), strong wind (relatively moderate).
- What storms are most common in Polk County?
- Since 1996, NOAA recorded 905 storm events affecting Polk County, most often hail (257), thunderstorm wind (245), flash flood (163).
- How many tornadoes have hit Polk County?
- 38 tornadoes have been recorded in Polk County since 1950.
- How many homes in Polk County have flood insurance?
- 3 residential flood insurance policies are in force in Polk County, covering about 0.0% of homes. The program has paid $133K on 10 claims here since 1978.
- What is the weather like in Polk County?
- At Bolivar 1 NE, average highs reach 89°F in Jul and lows fall to 22°F in Jan, with 46.4 inches of rain a year (1991-2020 normals).
Source: FEMA (National Risk Index, NFIP), NOAA (Storm Events, HURDAT2, Climate Normals), EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch the county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.