McPherson-Holland House · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Glendale as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendale gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #95 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Glendale 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 Glendale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glendale, and Glendale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #95 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Glendale’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, Glendale has less expected damage per building than 62% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Glendale: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glendale flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glendale, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $20K
Glendale 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glendale
Disasters that paid out in Glendale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glendale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$47K to the City of Glendale for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$839 aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$46K to the City of Glendale for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$84K to the City of Glendale for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$64K to the City of Glendale 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 Glendale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glendale archive →Glendale and its neighbors
Glendale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Kirkwood | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Webster Groves | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Rock Hill | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 118 |
| Oakland | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Warson Woods | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Glendale 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 Glendale
Is Glendale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendale has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #95 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (27%). 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 Glendale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Glendale since 1979, $42K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% 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 Glendale 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 Glendale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glendale’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 Glendale?
By FEMA money that reached Glendale, Severe Winter Storms (2006): $84K to the City of Glendale for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $20K.
Is Glendale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Glendale’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glendale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glendale’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.