Chillicothe Commercial Historic District · Photo: John Zupez · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Chillicothe as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chillicothe gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #55 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1982.
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 Chillicothe 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
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 Chillicothe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chillicothe, and Chillicothe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #55 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chillicothe’s residents live in 4 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, Chillicothe has less expected damage per building than 78% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Chillicothe: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chillicothe flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chillicothe, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $2K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $13K
Chillicothe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Livingston County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chillicothe
Disasters that paid out in Chillicothe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chillicothe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$172K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$109K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
Livingston 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 Chillicothe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chillicothe archive →Chillicothe and its neighbors
Chillicothe has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chillicothe | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Rich Hill Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chillicothe Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Chillicothe 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.
- 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 Chillicothe
Is Chillicothe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chillicothe has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #55 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chillicothe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Chillicothe since 1982, $228K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Chillicothe 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 Livingston County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Chillicothe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chillicothe’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 Chillicothe?
By FEMA money that reached Chillicothe, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 24 households applied for aid, $172K approved. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Chillicothe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Chillicothe’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chillicothe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chillicothe’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.