FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Charlack as in the typical U.S. town, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlack gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (43%), then river and rain flooding (39%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Charlack 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
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 Charlack’s grade
Earthquakes are 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charlack, and Charlack’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Charlack’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Charlack: $405K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charlack flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Charlack. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Charlack 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charlack
Disasters that paid out in Charlack itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Charlack), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$5K to the City of Charlack for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$6K to the City of Charlack 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 Charlack after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charlack archive →Charlack and its neighbors
Charlack is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overland | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Charlack | B−more damage than 52% | earthquakes | 0 |
| St. John | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Sycamore Hills | — | 672 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 Charlack 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.
- 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 Charlack
Is Charlack at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlack has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (43%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Charlack 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 Charlack?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Charlack’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 Charlack?
By FEMA money that reached Charlack, Severe Storms (2006): $6K to the City of Charlack for repairs.
Is Charlack at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Charlack’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charlack.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charlack’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.