Randall Willoughby picks up a small propane tank amongst the tornado damage including destroyed cars and buildings in Joplin, Missouri.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the most common disasters result from weather-related and geological events, such as earthquakes, sinkholes, flooding, droughts and other forms of severe weather. We also face man-made hazards caused by human actions or inactions, such as hazardous material releases and spills. 

When it comes to a disaster, whether it be natural or man-made, there are steps that can be taken to reduce potential damaging effects and increase our ability to respond when the disaster occurs. Disaster preparedness is knowing how to respond during the immediate aftermath of a disaster. There are plans and actions you can take now to help protect yourself, those around you and the environment.

If your questions are not addressed by the information below, please contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.

Drought

Advisories, News, Executive Orders and Waivers

Agricultural Information

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facility Information

Drinking Water Assistance

Energy

  • Roadmap to Resilience - Assists small- to medium-sized communities with the development of their own customized resilience plans.

Local Assistance Contact Information

Missouri and Mississippi River Levels - Current conditions and forecasts

The department coordinates issues relating to major river basins that affect Missouri, and provides technical support for negotiations and litigation actions to protect the state’s rights to this water. Learn more about the Missouri River Flood Issues and Mississippi River Flood Issues, or visit the River Observations webpage. 

Missouri Drought Plan

Private Drinking Water Wells

Fire

Wildfire prevention is of key importance for public safety. Resident should be mindful when driving off road, building campfires or burning leaves and other debris. It also is essential for smokers to put out cigarettes completely and safely, as well as responsibly dispose of butts. Visit the National Weather Service’s Fire Weather Outlooks webpage before conducting any prescribed burns on your property, or other activities that may ignite a wildfire.

Advisories, News, Executive Orders and Waivers

Wildfire Prevention

Energy

  • Roadmap to Resilience - Assists small- to medium-sized communities with the development of their own customized resilience plans.

Local Assistance Contact Information

Flooding

Unlike other natural disasters, severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the affected areas the opportunity to prepare. You can take steps to minimize the environmental effects if exposed to flood waters.

Advisories, News, Executive Orders and Waivers

Agricultural Information

Containers or Tanks

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

The following information is intended to provide initial emergency guidance to the operators, owners and employees of both publicly and privately owned facilities that produce and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater.

Dams

Drinking Water Assistance

Energy

  • Roadmap to Resilience - Assists small- to medium-sized communities with the development of their own customized resilience plans.

Historic Preservation

Local Assistance Contact Information

Missouri and Mississippi River Levels - Current conditions and forecasts

The department coordinates issues relating to major river basins that affect Missouri, and provides technical support for negotiations and litigation actions to protect the state’s rights to this water. Learn more about the Missouri River Flood Issues and Mississippi River Flood Issues. Or visit the River Observations website. 

Missouri State Park Advisories

Private Drinking Water Wells

If repairs need to be made to the water well, hire a contractor to do the work. Locate contractors licensed to do business in Missouri online using mowells.

Geologic Hazards

Advisories, News, Executive Orders and Waivers

Earthquakes

Missouri experiences small earthquakes nearly every day. These earthquakes typically are too small to be felt but are recorded on seismographs, devices that measure the earth’s movement. Some scientists believe there is about a 10% chance of a magnitude 7-8 earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in a 50 year time interval. Preparing and planning is essential for earthquake safety. The New Madrid Seismic Zone experiences about 200 small earthquakes a year. Unlike some other disasters, earthquakes provide no advance warning. The State Emergency Management Agency works with many government and voluntary agencies, businesses and schools to ensure a coordinated, effective response to the challenges a major earthquake would pose.

Energy

  • Roadmap to Resilience - Assists small- to medium-sized communities with the development of their own customized resilience plans.

Landslides

Landslides, slumps and rockfalls are potential geologic hazards throughout Missouri and can occur where there are bluffs or steep slopes. They often can be triggered when surficial materials are moved or modified by man. In general, the higher and steeper the slope, the farther and faster the slide will travel. Learn more by visiting our Landslides webpage.

Local Assistance Contact Information

Mining and Reclamation

Sinkholes

HazMat Incident

Advisories, News, Executive Orders and Waivers

Agricultural Information

Asbestos and Open Burning

Containers or Tanks

Energy

  • Roadmap to Resilience - Assists small- to medium-sized communities with the development of their own customized resilience plans.

Hazardous Waste

Local Assistance Contact Information

Heat

Advisories, News, Executive Orders and Waivers

Current Air Quality

  • Current Air Quality - Checking local air quality can help you plan your day. The charts include today's forecast for air quality, access to tomorrow's forecast as well as real-time readings on EPA's Air Quality Index.

Energy

Local Assistance Contact Information

Missouri State Park Advisories

Weatherization

Severe Weather

Advisories, News, Executive Orders and Waivers

Agricultural Information

Containers or Tanks

Dams and Reservoirs

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

Energy

Local Assistance Contact Information

Missouri and Mississippi River Levels - Current conditions and forecasts

The department coordinates issues relating to major river basins that affect Missouri, and provides technical support for negotiations and litigation actions to protect the state’s rights to this water. Learn more about the Missouri River Flood Issues and Mississippi River Flood Issues. Or visit the River Observations website. 

Missouri State Park Advisories

Private Drinking Water Wells

Weatherization

Related Links

Report an Environmental Concern

Contact Information