Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fenton than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fenton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #150 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 606 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 stands out about Fenton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fenton 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 Fenton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fenton, and Fenton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #150 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fenton’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, Fenton has more expected damage per building than 61% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Fenton: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fenton flood? Yes: 606 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fenton, from FEMA’s records: 366.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding50 claims · $964K
- The Early winter storms42 claims · $4.6M
Fenton 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fenton
Disasters that paid out in Fenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires5 households applied for aid$770 aid approved
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding90 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding53 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$184K to the City of Fenton for repairs34 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding293 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$353K to the City of Fenton for repairs42 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the City of Fenton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado35 households applied for aid$110K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding54 households applied for aid$147K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$15K to the City of Fenton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$7K to the City of Fenton 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 Fenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fenton archive →Fenton and its neighbors
Fenton is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Hills | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 118 |
| Fenton | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 606 |
| Murphy | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Fenton 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 Fenton
Is Fenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fenton has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #150 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (34%). 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 Fenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 606 claims in Fenton since 1979, $13.8M in all, or 366.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 67 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (50).
Is Fenton 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 Fenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fenton’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 Fenton?
By FEMA money that reached Fenton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 293 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $353K to the City of Fenton for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 50 paid, $964K.
Is Fenton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Fenton’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fenton’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.