Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Canalou
Canalou isn’t graded for hazard risk: Canalou has 177 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2011.
What Canalou faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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.
Does Canalou flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canalou, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms7 claims · $75K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $29K
Canalou isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: New Madrid County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canalou
Disasters that paid out in Canalou itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canalou), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$629 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding89 households applied for aid$178K aid approved$8K to the City of Canalou for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$24K to the City of Canalou for repairs
New Madrid County has had 22 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 Canalou after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canalou archive →Get ready for what Canalou faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Canalou
Does Canalou flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Canalou since 2011, $104K in all. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (7).
Is Canalou 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 New Madrid County, 4.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Canalou?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canalou’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 Canalou?
By FEMA money that reached Canalou, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 89 households applied for aid, $178K approved, and $8K to the City of Canalou for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 7 paid, $75K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canalou.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canalou’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.