Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0For ice storms, Belle’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Belle 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
Earthquakes
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 Belle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belle, and Belle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belle’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Belle: $533K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belle flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Belle. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Belle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Maries County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belle
Disasters that paid out in Belle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Belle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$125K to the City of Belle for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding6 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Belle for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Belle for repairs
Maries 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 Belle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belle archive →Get ready for what Belle 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Belle
Is Belle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Belle 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 Maries County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Belle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belle’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 Belle?
By FEMA money that reached Belle, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): $125K to the City of Belle for repairs.
Is Belle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Belle’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belle’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.