FEMA puts Dellwood’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dellwood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #194 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Dellwood 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 Dellwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dellwood, and Dellwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #194 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dellwood’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, Dellwood has more expected damage per building than 78% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Dellwood: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dellwood flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dellwood, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dellwood 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dellwood
Disasters that paid out in Dellwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dellwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$718 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$62K to the City of Dellwood for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$46K to the City of Dellwood for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Dellwood for repairs
Show all 7
- 2006Severe Storms$6K to the City of Dellwood 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 Dellwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dellwood archive →Dellwood and its neighbors
Dellwood is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 283 |
| Dellwood | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Dellwood 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 Dellwood
Is Dellwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dellwood has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #194 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dellwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Dellwood since 1979, $3K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dellwood 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 Dellwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dellwood’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 Dellwood?
By FEMA money that reached Dellwood, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2013): $62K to the City of Dellwood for repairs.
Is Dellwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Dellwood’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dellwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dellwood’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.