Natural Disaster Risk in Newton County

Natural Hazard Profile: Newton County, Missouri

Newton County is located in the United States in Missouri, home to roughly 58,493 residents. The county experiences hot summers, cold winters, and collision of multiple air masses, with year-round severe weather including tornadoes, ice storms, and floods shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Newton County's composite natural disaster risk at 7.1 out of 10 — high risk. 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. Residents should also account for heat and tornado risk in their preparedness planning.

Newton County's risk score, slightly above the 5.9/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Newton County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, heat, and tornado. 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, Newton 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.