Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bloomfield than in 87% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (48%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 Bloomfield faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Bloomfield’s grade
Earthquakes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomfield, and Bloomfield’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bloomfield’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Bloomfield: $816K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomfield flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Bloomfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stoddard County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bloomfield
Disasters that paid out in Bloomfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bloomfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$60K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$32K to the City of Bloomfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$41K to the City of Bloomfield for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$461 aid approved
Stoddard County has had 20 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 Bloomfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomfield archive →Get ready for what Bloomfield faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Bloomfield
Is Bloomfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (48%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bloomfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Bloomfield since 2011, $33K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Bloomfield 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 Stoddard County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bloomfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bloomfield’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 Bloomfield?
By FEMA money that reached Bloomfield, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 19 households applied for aid, $60K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Bloomfield at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Bloomfield’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomfield’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.