Photo: Smgross at English Wikipedia · Public domainSt. Louis’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Louis gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #624 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1986.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What St. Louis 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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.
What’s behind St. Louis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Louis, and St. Louis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #624 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Louis’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, St. Louis has more expected damage per building than 89% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across St. Louis: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Louis flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Louis, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
St. Louis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gratiot County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to St. Louis
Disasters that paid out in St. Louis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Louis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
Gratiot County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of St. Louis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Louis archive →St. Louis and its neighbors
St. Louis has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pine River Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Alma | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Bethany Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what St. Louis 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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. Louis
Is St. Louis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Louis has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #624 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and strong wind (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Louis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in St. Louis since 1986, $5K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is St. Louis 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 Gratiot County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Louis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Louis’ 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. Louis?
By FEMA money that reached St. Louis, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 8 households applied for aid, $50K approved.
Is St. Louis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and St. Louis’ rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Louis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Louis’ 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.