Joplin, MO
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Joplin is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Jasper County, MO. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, tornado, and heat wave.
Storm events near Joplin
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Joplin's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Joplin 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 Jasper County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Joplin along with the rest of the county, not a Joplin-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 66.3 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 84.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 79 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 94.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 95.6 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 70.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 92.6 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 90.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 38.6 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 96.8 | Very High |
| Landslide | 32.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 88.5 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 88.4 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 87.3 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Jasper County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Jasper County:
More on Jasper County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Joplin, MO at risk of?
Joplin is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Jasper County, where Joplin is located, are ice storm, tornado, and heat wave.
What is Joplin's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Jasper County, where Joplin is located, scoring 96.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Joplin a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Joplin carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Jasper County.
Has Joplin had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 28 tornado, 265 hail, 218 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Joplin since 2016.