West Plains, MO
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
West Plains is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Howell County, MO. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, earthquake, and heat wave.
Storm events near West Plains
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of West Plains's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to West Plains 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 Howell County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering West Plains along with the rest of the county, not a West Plains-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 75.4 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 79.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 91.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 87 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 76.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 77.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 32.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 31.8 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 41.7 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 93.8 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 67.6 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 77.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 72.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.8 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Howell County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Howell County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is West Plains, MO at risk of?
West Plains 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 Howell County, where West Plains is located, are ice storm, earthquake, and heat wave.
What is West Plains's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Howell County, where West Plains is located, scoring 93.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is West Plains a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — West Plains carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Howell County.
Has West Plains had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 13 tornado, 107 hail, 225 inland flooding events within 25 miles of West Plains since 2016.