Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hermann than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hermann gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 148 claims here since 1978.
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 Hermann’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hermann 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
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 Hermann’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hermann, and Hermann’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hermann’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Hermann: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hermann flood? Yes: 148 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hermann, from FEMA’s records: 133.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding43 claims · $1.5M
- The Early winter storms10 claims · $226K
- The Late spring severe storms10 claims · $182K
Hermann isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gasconade County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hermann
Disasters that paid out in Hermann itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hermann), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$130K to the City of Hermann for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding23 households applied for aid$202K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$66K to the City of Hermann for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado1 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Gasconade County has had 17 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 Hermann after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hermann archive →Get ready for what Hermann 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.
- 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 Hermann
Is Hermann at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hermann has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Hermann flood?
Flood insurance has paid 148 claims in Hermann since 1978, $3.6M in all, or 133.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (43).
Is Hermann 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 Gasconade County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hermann?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hermann’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 Hermann?
By FEMA money that reached Hermann, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 23 households applied for aid, $202K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 43 paid, $1.5M.
Is Hermann at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Hermann’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hermann.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hermann’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.