FEMA puts High Ridge’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Ridge gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #187 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 High Ridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What High Ridge 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 High Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in High Ridge, and High Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #187 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
High Ridge’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, High Ridge has more expected damage per building than 76% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across High Ridge: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does High Ridge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in High Ridge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
High Ridge 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to High Ridge
Disasters that paid out in High Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to High Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$968 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
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 High Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the High Ridge archive →High Ridge and its neighbors
High Ridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Ridge | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Peaceful Village | — | 117 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Parkdale | — | 204 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 High Ridge 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 High Ridge
Is High Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #187 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is High Ridge 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 High Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for High Ridge’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 High Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached High Ridge, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 13 households applied for aid, $23K approved.
Is High Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and High Ridge’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in High Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where High Ridge’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.