Cape Girardeau, Missouri: natural disaster risk
How exposed Cape Girardeau is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Cape Girardeau County.
Cape Girardeau is a city of 40,344 people in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. Parts of Cape Girardeau also reach into Scott County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cape Girardeau County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are earthquake, inland flooding and heat wave, with about $68 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 614 storm reports in the county since 1952, including 49 tornadoes and 160 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 2 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.2% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Cape Girardeau County, the county with most of the population Cape Girardeau sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Cape Girardeau
Full Cape Girardeau County report ›- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | $29M | |
| Inland flooding | $21M | |
| Heat wave | $4M | |
| Tornado | $4M | |
| Cold wave | $4M | |
| Ice storm | $2M | |
| Strong wind | $1M | |
| Hail | $764K | |
| Winter weather | $540K | |
| Lightning | $412K | |
| Drought | $355K | |
| Hurricane | $32K |
Homes in Cape Girardeau
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Cape Girardeau County
Common questions about Cape Girardeau
Is Cape Girardeau safe from natural disasters?
Cape Girardeau is in Cape Girardeau County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Cape Girardeau?
By expected yearly losses in Cape Girardeau County, the top hazards are earthquake (Moderate), inland flooding (Moderate), heat wave (Moderate). Cape Girardeau County has been part of 27 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Cape Girardeau get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 49 tornadoes in Cape Girardeau County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on May 6, 2003 near Jackson. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county moderate.
Do I need flood insurance in Cape Girardeau?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Cape Girardeau County, about 0.2% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.