Photo: Tony Webster · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Branson than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Branson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #189 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 80 claims here since 1982.
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 Branson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Branson 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
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 Branson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Branson, and Branson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #189 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Branson’s residents live in 8 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, Branson has more expected damage per building than 76% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.1M a year in losses across Branson: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Branson flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Branson, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms24 claims · $2.2M
- The Early winter storms14 claims · $931K
- The Late spring severe storms7 claims · $184K
Branson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Taney County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Branson
Disasters that paid out in Branson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Branson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding98 households applied for aid$549K aid approved$632K to the City of Branson for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$387K to the City of Branson for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$98K to the City of Branson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding116 households applied for aid$297K aid approved$500K to the City of Branson for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$39K to the City of Branson for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado18 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$57K to the City of Branson for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$83K to the City of Branson for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding49 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$73K to the City of Branson for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding23 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$36K to the City of Branson for repairs
Taney County has had 18 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 Branson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Branson archive →Branson and its neighbors
Branson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branson | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Hollister | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
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 Branson 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.
- 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 Branson
Is Branson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Branson has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #189 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and ice storms (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Branson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in Branson since 1982, $4.5M in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (24).
Is Branson 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 Taney County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Branson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Branson’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 Branson?
By FEMA money that reached Branson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 98 households applied for aid, $549K approved, and $632K to the City of Branson for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 24 paid, $2.2M.
Is Branson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Branson’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Branson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Branson’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.