Natural Disaster Risk in Sullivan County

Natural Hazard Profile: Sullivan County, Missouri

Sullivan County is located in the United States in Missouri, home to roughly 5,947 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 Sullivan County's composite natural disaster risk at 4.7 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Residents should also account for drought and heat risk in their preparedness planning.

Sullivan County's risk score, slightly below the 5.9/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Sullivan County, the highest-scoring are landslide, drought, and heat. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Sullivan County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for landslide is recommended.