Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Canton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #154 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 stands out about Canton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Canton 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
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 Canton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canton, and Canton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #154 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Canton’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, Canton has more expected damage per building than 62% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Canton: $796K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canton flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canton, from FEMA’s records: 22.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms13 claims · $183K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $73K
Canton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canton
Disasters that paid out in Canton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$229K to the City of Canton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$34K to the City of Canton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding43 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$879K to the City of Canton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding166 households applied for aid$378K aid approved$227K to the City of Canton for repairs
Lewis County has had 23 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 Canton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canton archive →Canton and its neighbors
Canton is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ursa Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Canton | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Lima Township | — | 593 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 Canton 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.
- 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 Canton
Is Canton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #154 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (9%). 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 Canton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Canton since 1979, $317K in all, or 22.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (13).
Is Canton 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 Lewis County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canton’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 Canton?
By FEMA money that reached Canton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 43 households applied for aid, $62K approved, and $879K to the City of Canton for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 13 paid, $183K.
Is Canton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Canton’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canton’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.