Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cuba than in 72% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cuba gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #21 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then earthquakes (25%). 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 Cuba 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Cuba’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cuba, and Cuba’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #21 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cuba’s residents live in 2 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, Cuba has less expected damage per building than 92% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Cuba: $785K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cuba flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cuba. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cuba isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cuba
Disasters that paid out in Cuba itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cuba), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding4 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$42K to the City of Cuba for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Crawford County has had 20 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 Cuba after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cuba archive →Get ready for what Cuba 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cuba
Is Cuba at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cuba has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #21 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cuba 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 Crawford County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cuba?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cuba’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 Cuba?
By FEMA money that reached Cuba, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $42K to the City of Cuba for repairs.
Is Cuba at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Cuba’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cuba.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cuba’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.