Natural Disaster Risk in Belgrade

Natural Hazard Profile: Belgrade, Missouri

Belgrade is a small community of about 764 in Washington County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences hot summers, cold winters, and collision of multiple air masses, with year-round severe weather including tornadoes, ice storms, and floods shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Belgrade.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Belgrade carries an overall risk score of 6.3/10, placing it in the high category. Heat wave risk stands out as the primary natural hazard here, with above-average summer temperatures amplified by urban heat island effects in developed areas. The area also faces notable exposure to cold wave and earthquake.

Belgrade's risk score, near the 5.9/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Washington County, the highest-scoring are heat, cold wave, and earthquake. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Belgrade residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for heat and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.