A written emergency response plan on a desk surrounded by other documents

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.

For up-to-date information when natural disasters occur in Missouri, please visit our Disaster News and Information webpage.

Drought

Droughts can develop quickly or gradually over several weeks, months or even years, and worsened with extreme heat or wind. A drought can end just as quickly or gradually as it began, but more commonly persist for months. The more proactive we are, the better we can lessen the impact of even the most severe droughts. For helpful, up-to-date information to keep you safe and informed of droughts, please refer to the Drought section on the department's Disaster News and Information page.

Agriculture

Energy

Roadmap to Resilience

The department's Roadmap to Resilience assists small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.

Missouri Drought Plan

The Missouri Drought Plan uses modern tools for enhanced monitoring and assessment of all types of droughts. The plans main goals are serving as an information source for reducing drought impacts, increasing public awareness, enhancing resiliency, promoting water conservation, improving monitoring, facilitating response planning, as well as clarifying roles and responsibilities.

Water

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

The following information is intended for operators, owners and employees of both publicly and privately owned facilities that produce and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater.

Private Drinking Water Wells

Current Water Levels

Fire

Wildfire Prevention

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. More information is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wildfire Prevention webpage.

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. Resources to support prescribed burns are available at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Prescribed Fire webpage. Additional information on wildfire prevention can also be found at the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Missouri Natural Cover Fire Risk webpage.

Roadmap to Resilience

Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience. 

Flooding

Unlike other natural disasters, severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the affected areas the opportunity to prepare. 

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

Historic Preservation

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.

Roadmap to Resilience

Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.

Geologic Hazards

Natural geologic hazards are largely unpredictable and capable of causing catastrophic damage and loss of life and property. Some man-made features can become hazards under extreme circumstances or over time. 

Dams and Reservoirs

Earthquakes

Unlike some other disasters, earthquakes provide no advance warning. Missouri experiences small earthquakes nearly every day. The New Madrid Seismic Zone experiences about 200 small earthquakes a year. These earthquakes typically are too small to be felt but are recorded on seismographs. 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. 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.

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. 

Mines

Abandoned mine sites appear attractive to explore, but are unsafe to walk, climb or ride in. What appears to be solid ground may only have a thin veneer of cover hiding an abandoned shaft, which could collapse under the weight of a person walking.

Sinkholes

Sinkholes (also called dolines) are depressed or collapsed areas formed by dissolution of carbonate bedrock or collapse of underlying caves. The best way to prevent damage to property from sinkholes is to identify their presence and avoid them before any land development begins; however, the exact location of where a sinkhole will develop often cannot be predicted. 

Roadmap to Resilience

Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.

HazMat Incident

Equipment failure, explosions, spills and transportation accidents involving hazardous materials not only contaminates our air, water and land, but can also pose a threat to the health of Missouri's citizens, visitors and wildlife.

Agricultural Information

Asbestos and Open Burning

Containers or Tanks

Household Hazardous Waste

Roadmap to Resilience

Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.

Heat

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 Consumption

Missouri State Park Advisories

Weatherization

Roadmap to Resilience

Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.

Severe Weather

Weather that can pose a risk to life and property is considered severe weather. This can include hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms, including tornadoes, flooding and flash flooding, hail and damaging winds; and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds.

Agricultural Information

Containers or Tanks

Dams and Reservoirs

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

Energy Consumption

Missouri State Park Advisories

Private Drinking Water Wells

Water Levels

Weatherization

Roadmap to Resilience

Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.

Related Links

Report an Environmental Concern

Contact Information