Photo: en:User:Wroller; retouched by Kbh3rd · CC BY-SA 3.0Bolivar’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bolivar gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #139 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2009.
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 Bolivar 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
Strong wind
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 Bolivar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bolivar, and Bolivar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #139 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bolivar’s residents live in 5 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, Bolivar has more expected damage per building than 56% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Bolivar: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bolivar flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bolivar, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bolivar isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bolivar
Disasters that paid out in Bolivar itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bolivar), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the City of Bolivar for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding80 households applied for aid$301K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$401K to the City of Bolivar for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$4K to the City of Bolivar for repairs
Polk County has had 20 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 Bolivar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bolivar archive →Get ready for what Bolivar 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Bolivar
Is Bolivar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bolivar has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #139 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bolivar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Bolivar since 2009, $111K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bolivar 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 Polk County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bolivar?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bolivar’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 Bolivar?
By FEMA money that reached Bolivar, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $401K to the City of Bolivar for repairs.
Is Bolivar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Bolivar’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bolivar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bolivar’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.