Poplar Bluff, MO
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Poplar Bluff 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 Butler County, MO. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, heat wave, and ice storm.
Storm events near Poplar Bluff
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Poplar Bluff's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Poplar Bluff 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 Butler County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Poplar Bluff along with the rest of the county, not a Poplar Bluff-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 39.4 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 79.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 95.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 93.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 90.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 57.3 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 53.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 33 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 44 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 91.5 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 76.2 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 64.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 82.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 83.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Butler County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Butler County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Poplar Bluff, MO at risk of?
Poplar Bluff 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 Butler County, where Poplar Bluff is located, are earthquake, heat wave, and ice storm.
What is Poplar Bluff's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Butler County, where Poplar Bluff is located, scoring 95.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Poplar Bluff a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Poplar Bluff 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 Butler County.
Has Poplar Bluff had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 71 hail, 76 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Poplar Bluff since 2016.