Photo: Maureen Didde from Kansas City, MO, USA · CC BY 2.0For ice storms, Carthage’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carthage gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #52 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1981.
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 Carthage’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carthage 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
Ice storms
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 Carthage’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carthage, and Carthage’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #52 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carthage’s residents live in 5 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, Carthage has less expected damage per building than 79% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Carthage: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carthage flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carthage, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $108K
- The Late spring severe storms2 claims · $25K
Carthage isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carthage
Disasters that paid out in Carthage itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carthage), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding51 households applied for aid$283K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$287K aid approved$21K to the City of Carthage for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$420 aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$45K to the City of Carthage for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$385K to the City of Carthage for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$32K to the City of Carthage for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Jasper 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 Carthage after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carthage archive →Get ready for what Carthage 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.
- 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.
- 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 Carthage
Is Carthage at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carthage has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #52 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carthage flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Carthage since 1981, $348K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Carthage 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 Jasper County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carthage?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carthage’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 Carthage?
By FEMA money that reached Carthage, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $385K to the City of Carthage for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $108K.
Is Carthage at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Carthage’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carthage.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carthage’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.