Jefferson City, MO
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Jefferson City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cole County, MO. The county's highest-rated hazards are heat wave, ice storm, and tornado.
Storm events near Jefferson City
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Jefferson City's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Jefferson City itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Cole County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Jefferson City along with the rest of the county, not a Jefferson City-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 71.7 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 73.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 82.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 94.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 84.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 56.3 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 39.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 48.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 17.9 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 90.7 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 78.4 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 73.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 76.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 80.3 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cole County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Cole County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Jefferson City, MO at risk of?
Jefferson City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Cole County, where Jefferson City is located, are heat wave, ice storm, and tornado.
What is Jefferson City's biggest natural hazard risk?
Heat Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Cole County, where Jefferson City is located, scoring 94.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Jefferson City a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Jefferson City carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Cole County.
Has Jefferson City had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 52 hail, 24 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Jefferson City since 2016.