Storms, floods and disasters in St. Paul
St. Paul isn’t graded for hazard risk: St. Paul has 631 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2007.
What St. Paul faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does St. Paul flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Paul, from FEMA’s records.
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $49K
St. Paul isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Neosho County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Paul
Disasters that paid out in St. Paul itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Paul), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$2K to the City of St. Paul for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$146K aid approved$1K to the City of St. Paul for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$68K to the City of St. Paul for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$927 to the City of St. Paul for repairs
Neosho County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of St. Paul after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Paul archive →Get ready for what St. Paul faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in St. Paul
Does St. Paul flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in St. Paul since 2007, $49K in all. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (2).
Is St. Paul in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Neosho County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Paul?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Paul’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in St. Paul?
By FEMA money that reached St. Paul, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 15 households applied for aid, $146K approved, and $1K to the City of St. Paul for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 2 paid, $49K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Paul.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Paul’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.