Photo: Tyler Silvest · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Belton faces less hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #40 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
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 Belton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Belton 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
Hail
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 Belton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belton, and Belton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #40 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belton’s residents live in 6 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, Belton has less expected damage per building than 84% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Belton: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belton flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belton, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Belton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belton
Disasters that paid out in Belton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Belton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the City of Belton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$418K to the City of Belton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$61K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$213K to the City of Belton for repairs
Cass County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Belton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belton archive →Belton and its neighbors
Belton is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,187 |
| Belton | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Loch Lloyd | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Raymore | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Grandview | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Belton 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Belton
Is Belton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belton has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #40 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Belton since 1979, $85K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Belton 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 Cass County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belton’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 Belton?
By FEMA money that reached Belton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): $418K to the City of Belton for repairs.
Is Belton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Belton’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belton’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.