More hazard damage per building is expected in Cool Valley than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cool Valley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Cool Valley 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
Earthquakes
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 Cool Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cool Valley, and Cool Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cool Valley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $827K a year in losses across Cool Valley: $392K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cool Valley flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cool Valley, 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.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $52K
Cool Valley 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cool Valley
Disasters that paid out in Cool Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cool Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
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 Cool Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cool Valley archive →Cool Valley and its neighbors
Cool Valley is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Normandy | B−less damage than 50% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Ferguson | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 283 |
| Cool Valley | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Bellerive Acres | — | 288 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 Cool Valley 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Cool Valley
Is Cool Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cool Valley has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (16%). 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 Cool Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Cool Valley since 1979, $198K in all, or 22.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Cool Valley 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 Cool Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cool Valley’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 Cool Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Cool Valley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 7 households applied for aid, $36K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $52K.
Is Cool Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Cool Valley’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cool Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cool Valley’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.