Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hanley Hills as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanley Hills gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Hanley Hills 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 Hanley Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hanley Hills, and Hanley Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hanley Hills’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Hanley Hills: $593K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hanley Hills flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hanley Hills, from FEMA’s records: 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding4 claims · $46K
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $14K
Hanley Hills 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hanley Hills
Disasters that paid out in Hanley Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hanley Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$109K to the Village of Hanley Hills for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$9K to the Village of Hanley Hills 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 Hanley Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hanley Hills archive →Hanley Hills and its neighbors
Hanley Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinita Park | B+less damage than 66% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Hanley Hills | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Pagedale | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Hanley Hills 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 Hanley Hills
Is Hanley Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanley Hills has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hanley Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Hanley Hills since 1981, $74K in all, or 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (4).
Is Hanley Hills 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 Hanley Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hanley Hills’ 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 Hanley Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Hanley Hills, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 7 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $109K to the Village of Hanley Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 4 paid, $46K.
Is Hanley Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Hanley Hills’ rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hanley Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hanley Hills’ 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.