Natural Disaster Risk in Dallas County

Natural Hazard Profile: Dallas County, Missouri

Dallas County, in the United States in Missouri, is characterized by its humid continental climate — hot summers, cold winters, and collision of multiple air masses. The county faces year-round severe weather including tornadoes, ice storms, and floods, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

Dallas County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Secondary hazards include lightning and wildfire.

Within Missouri, Dallas County's risk is, near the 5.9/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Dallas County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by lightning and wildfire. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Dallas County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm 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.