Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in East Prairie than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Prairie gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #243 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 East Prairie 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
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 East Prairie’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Prairie, and East Prairie’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #243 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Prairie’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, East Prairie has more expected damage per building than 98% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across East Prairie: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Prairie flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Prairie, from FEMA’s records: 12.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $433
East Prairie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mississippi County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Prairie
Disasters that paid out in East Prairie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Prairie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$254K aid approved$379K to the City of East Prairie for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the City of East Prairie for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$4K to the City of East Prairie for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding266 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$200K to the City of East Prairie for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$178K to the City of East Prairie for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado$10K to the City of East Prairie for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$93K to the City of East Prairie for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding13 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$140K to the City of East Prairie for repairs
Mississippi 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 East Prairie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Prairie archive →East Prairie and its neighbors
East Prairie has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Prairie | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 19 |
| Whiting | — | 179 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 East Prairie 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.
- 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 East Prairie
Is East Prairie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Prairie has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #243 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (25%). 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 East Prairie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in East Prairie since 1979, $57K in all, or 12.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is East Prairie 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 Mississippi County, 3.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in East Prairie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Prairie’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 East Prairie?
By FEMA money that reached East Prairie, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 266 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $200K to the City of East Prairie for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $433.
Is East Prairie at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and East Prairie’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Prairie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Prairie’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.