Natural Disaster Risk in Rolla

Natural Hazard Profile: Rolla, Missouri

Rolla is a city of approximately 32,714 residents in Phelps 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 Rolla.

FEMA rates Rolla's composite natural disaster risk at 6.3 out of 10 — high risk. The threat of extreme heat dominates the local risk profile, with the area experiencing heat waves that drive heat-related illness and place significant demand on energy infrastructure. Residents should also account for ice storm and earthquake risk in their preparedness planning.

Rolla'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 Phelps County, the highest-scoring are heat, ice storm, 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, Rolla 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.