Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Eldon than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eldon gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #14 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1985.
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 stands out about Eldon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Eldon 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
Earthquakes
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 Eldon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eldon, and Eldon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #14 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eldon’s residents live in 3 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, Eldon has less expected damage per building than 95% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Eldon: $907K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eldon flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eldon, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $19K
Eldon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Miller County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eldon
Disasters that paid out in Eldon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eldon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding153 households applied for aid$240K aid approved$145K to the City of Eldon for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$21K to the City of Eldon for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the City of Eldon for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$168K to the City of Eldon for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$37K to the City of Eldon for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$2K to the City of Eldon for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Miller County has had 25 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 Eldon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eldon archive →Eldon and its neighbors
Eldon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eldon | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Aurora Springs | — | 230 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 Eldon 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Eldon
Is Eldon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eldon has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #14 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eldon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Eldon since 1985, $87K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Eldon 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 Miller County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eldon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eldon’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 Eldon?
By FEMA money that reached Eldon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 153 households applied for aid, $240K approved, and $145K to the City of Eldon for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Eldon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Eldon’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eldon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eldon’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.