Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Festus than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Festus gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #165 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 89 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 Festus’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Festus 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 Festus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Festus, and Festus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #165 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Festus’ residents live in 6 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, Festus has more expected damage per building than 67% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Festus: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Festus flood? Sometimes: 89 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Festus, from FEMA’s records: 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding21 claims · $561K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $6K
Festus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Festus
Disasters that paid out in Festus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Festus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires6 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding11 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$8K to the City of Festus for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$41K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms$21K to the City of Festus for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding15 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding105 households applied for aid$195K aid approved$22K to the City of Festus for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson County has had 26 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 Festus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Festus archive →Festus and its neighbors
Festus has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festus | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Crystal City | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Herculaneum | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
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 Festus 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 Festus
Is Festus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Festus has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #165 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Festus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 89 claims in Festus since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (21).
Is Festus 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 Jefferson County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Festus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Festus’ 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 Festus?
By FEMA money that reached Festus, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 105 households applied for aid, $195K approved, and $22K to the City of Festus for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 21 paid, $561K.
Is Festus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Festus’ rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Festus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Festus’ 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.