Lewis Shaw Coleman House · Photo: Johnston9494 · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Aurora’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurora gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #58 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2015.
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 Aurora 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
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 Aurora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aurora, and Aurora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #58 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aurora’s residents live in 3 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, Aurora has less expected damage per building than 77% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Aurora: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aurora flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aurora, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $25K
Aurora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aurora
Disasters that paid out in Aurora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aurora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$208K to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$72K to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$323K to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding18 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding99 households applied for aid$201K aid approved
Lawrence County has had 16 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 Aurora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aurora archive →Get ready for what Aurora 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.
- 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 Aurora
Is Aurora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurora has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #58 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aurora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Aurora since 2015, $103K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Aurora 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 Lawrence County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aurora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aurora’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 Aurora?
By FEMA money that reached Aurora, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $323K to the City of Aurora for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $25K.
Is Aurora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Aurora’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aurora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aurora’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.