Photo: Keith Snyder · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Butler faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #16 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1984.
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 Butler’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Butler 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
Hail
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 Butler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Butler, and Butler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #16 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Butler’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Butler has less expected damage per building than 94% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Butler: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Butler flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Butler, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Butler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bates County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Butler
Disasters that paid out in Butler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Butler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$51K to the City of Butler for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$11K to the City of Butler for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the City of Butler for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the City of Butler for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Butler for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K to the City of Butler for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$172K to the City of Butler for repairs
Bates County has had 19 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 Butler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Butler archive →Get ready for what Butler 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.
- 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.
- 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 Butler
Is Butler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #16 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Butler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Butler since 1984, $240K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Butler 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 Bates County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Butler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Butler’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 Butler?
By FEMA money that reached Butler, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $172K to the City of Butler for repairs.
Is Butler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Butler’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Butler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Butler’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.