Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0Farmington’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #123 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1982.
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 Farmington 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
Strong wind
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 Farmington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmington, and Farmington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #123 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farmington’s residents live in 7 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, Farmington has less expected damage per building than 50% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Farmington: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmington flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farmington, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $17K
Farmington 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. Francois County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Farmington
Disasters that paid out in Farmington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Farmington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$9K to the City of Farmington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$27K to the City of Farmington for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding53 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$122K to the City of Farmington for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K to the City of Farmington for repairs
St. Francois County has had 17 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 Farmington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmington archive →Get ready for what Farmington 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Farmington
Is Farmington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #123 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farmington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Farmington since 1982, $19K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Farmington 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. Francois County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Farmington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farmington’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 Farmington?
By FEMA money that reached Farmington, Severe Winter Storms (2006): $122K to the City of Farmington for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $17K.
Is Farmington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Farmington’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmington’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.