Photo: Original uploaded by Fredlander (Transfered by Gary Dee) · Public domainFEMA puts Arnold’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arnold gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #184 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 982 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Arnold’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arnold 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
Earthquakes
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.
What’s behind Arnold’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arnold, and Arnold’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #184 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arnold’s residents live in 9 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Arnold has more expected damage per building than 74% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Arnold: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arnold flood? Yes: 982 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arnold, from FEMA’s records: 109.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding142 claims · $3.9M
- The Early winter storms40 claims · $1.6M
Arnold isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arnold
Disasters that paid out in Arnold itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arnold), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires415 households applied for aid$446K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding58 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$141K to the City of Arnold for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding316 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$281K to the City of Arnold for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$20K to the City of Arnold for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado20 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$92K to the City of Arnold for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$115K to the City of Arnold for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Jefferson County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Arnold after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arnold archive →Arnold and its neighbors
Arnold is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Arnold | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 982 |
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 Arnold 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Arnold
Is Arnold at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arnold has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #184 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arnold flood?
Flood insurance has paid 982 claims in Arnold since 1978, $13.7M in all, or 109.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 54 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (142).
Is Arnold 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 Jefferson County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arnold?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arnold’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 Arnold?
By FEMA money that reached Arnold, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 316 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $281K to the City of Arnold for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 142 paid, $3.9M.
Is Arnold at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Arnold’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arnold.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arnold’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.