Payne-Gentry House · Photo: Chuck Morris · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bridgeton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #179 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 24 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 Bridgeton 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
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 Bridgeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgeton, and Bridgeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #179 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridgeton’s residents live in 10 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, Bridgeton has more expected damage per building than 72% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.1M a year in losses across Bridgeton: $10.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgeton flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgeton, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding3 claims · $696K
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $81K
Bridgeton 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. Louis County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgeton
Disasters that paid out in Bridgeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bridgeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires39 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding88 households applied for aid$207K aid approved$77K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$324K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding113 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$821K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$765 aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$54K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$33K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs
St. Louis County has had 30 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 Bridgeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgeton archive →Bridgeton and its neighbors
Bridgeton is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazelwood | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 279 |
| Maryland Heights | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| St. Ann | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Bridgeton | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| St. Charles | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 647 |
| Champ | — | 6 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bridgeton 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.
- 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 Bridgeton
Is Bridgeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeton has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #179 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Bridgeton since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (3).
Is Bridgeton 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. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgeton’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 Bridgeton?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgeton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 113 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $821K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 3 paid, $696K.
Is Bridgeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Bridgeton’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgeton’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.