Photo: Parker Botanical · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fredericktown than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericktown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #233 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 119 claims here since 1981.
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 Fredericktown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fredericktown 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
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 Fredericktown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fredericktown, and Fredericktown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #233 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fredericktown’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, Fredericktown has more expected damage per building than 94% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Fredericktown: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fredericktown flood? Yes: 119 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fredericktown, from FEMA’s records: 57.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $1K
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $3K
Fredericktown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fredericktown
Disasters that paid out in Fredericktown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fredericktown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding46 households applied for aid$90K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$54 aid approved$28K to the City of Fredericktown for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding910 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$677K to the City of Fredericktown for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$19K to the City of Fredericktown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado$51K to the City of Fredericktown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding51 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$33K to the City of Fredericktown for repairs
Show all 7
- 2008Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$14K to the City of Fredericktown for repairs
Madison 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 Fredericktown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fredericktown archive →Fredericktown and its neighbors
Fredericktown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fredericktown | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Cobalt | — | 364 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Junction City | — | 372 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 Fredericktown 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.
- 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 Fredericktown
Is Fredericktown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericktown has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #233 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fredericktown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 119 claims in Fredericktown since 1981, $2.8M in all, or 57.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Fredericktown 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 Madison County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fredericktown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fredericktown’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 Fredericktown?
By FEMA money that reached Fredericktown, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2009): 910 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $677K to the City of Fredericktown for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Fredericktown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Fredericktown’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fredericktown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fredericktown’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.