Berry Cemetery · Photo: Brian Sims · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Ash Grove’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ash Grove gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2026.
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 Ash Grove 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
Ice storms
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 Ash Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ash Grove, and Ash Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ash Grove’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $561K a year in losses across Ash Grove: $337K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ash Grove flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2026
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ash Grove, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ash Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ash Grove
Disasters that paid out in Ash Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ash Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$59K to the City of Ash Grove for repairs
Greene County has had 23 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 Ash Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ash Grove archive →Get ready for what Ash Grove 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Ash Grove
Is Ash Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ash Grove has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ash Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Ash Grove since 2026, $338K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ash Grove 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 Greene County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ash Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ash Grove’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 Ash Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Ash Grove, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $59K to the City of Ash Grove for repairs.
Is Ash Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Ash Grove’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ash Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ash Grove’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.