Natural Disaster Risk in West Plains
Missouri
Risk Summary for West Plains
West Plains scores 6.9/10 (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: West Plains, Missouri
West Plains, in Howell County, is a city of approximately 25,773 residents 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 West Plains residents and property owners must navigate.
West Plains's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.9/10 (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 earthquake and heat.
Within Missouri, West Plains's risk is, slightly above the 5.9/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Howell County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by earthquake and heat. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
West Plains'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 West Plains: 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 West Plains
These city-level factors differentiate West Plains from other communities in Howell County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
25,773
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 36.7°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 7.9/10
Coordinates
36.6995° N, 91.8600° W
Howell 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 West Plains
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in West Plains
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.