Photo: Paul Sableman from St. Louis, MO · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bonne Terre than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonne Terre gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #162 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (21%). 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 Bonne Terre 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Bonne Terre’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bonne Terre, and Bonne Terre’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #162 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bonne Terre’s residents live in 4 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, Bonne Terre has more expected damage per building than 65% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Bonne Terre: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bonne Terre flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bonne Terre, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $14K
- The March storm1 claim · $96K
Bonne Terre isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Francois County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bonne Terre
Disasters that paid out in Bonne Terre itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bonne Terre), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$15K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$13K to the City of Bonne Terre for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$11K to the City of Bonne Terre for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
St. Francois County has had 17 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 Bonne Terre after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bonne Terre archive →Get ready for what Bonne Terre 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Bonne Terre
Is Bonne Terre at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonne Terre has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #162 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bonne Terre flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Bonne Terre since 1979, $217K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Bonne Terre 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 St. Francois County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bonne Terre?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bonne Terre’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 Bonne Terre?
By FEMA money that reached Bonne Terre, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 13 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Bonne Terre at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Bonne Terre’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bonne Terre.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bonne Terre’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.