Natural Disaster Risk in South West City
Missouri
Risk Summary for South West City
South West City scores 6.2/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Ice Storm.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: South West City, Missouri
South West City, in McDonald County, is a small community of about 1,586 situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid continental climate brings hot summers, cold winters, and collision of multiple air masses, and in particular year-round severe weather including tornadoes, ice storms, and floods. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that South West City residents and property owners must navigate.
South West City's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.2/10 (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 wind and heat.
Within Missouri, South West City'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 McDonald County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by wind and heat. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
South West City'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.
What this means for South West City: Ice Storm preparedness
- Have a backup heat source and charged devices ready before winter storms arrive.
- Prepare for multi-day power outages, as ice accretion frequently downs power lines.
- Keep walkways treated and avoid travel during freezing-rain events.
Local Factors for South West City
These city-level factors differentiate South West City from other communities in McDonald County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,586
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 36.6°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 7.6/10
Coordinates
36.5551° N, 94.5844° W
McDonald County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for South West City
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in South West City
Other cities in Missouri
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.