Natural Disaster Risk in Powell

Natural Hazard Profile: Powell, Missouri

Powell is a small unincorporated community in McDonald 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 Powell.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Powell carries an overall risk score of 6.2/10, placing it in the high category. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. The area also faces notable exposure to wind and heat.

Powell'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 McDonald County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, wind, and heat. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Powell's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.