Photo: Kbh3rd · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hillsboro than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsboro gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #169 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Hillsboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hillsboro, and Hillsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #169 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hillsboro’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, Hillsboro has more expected damage per building than 68% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Hillsboro: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hillsboro flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hillsboro, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hillsboro 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hillsboro
Disasters that paid out in Hillsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hillsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires28 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding28 households applied for aid$73K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$29K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado4 households applied for aid$690 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$175K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding87 households applied for aid$75K 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 Hillsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hillsboro archive →Get ready for what Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro
Is Hillsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsboro has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #169 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hillsboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hillsboro since 2015, $34K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hillsboro’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 Hillsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Hillsboro, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 30 households applied for aid, $175K approved.
Is Hillsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Hillsboro’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hillsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hillsboro’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.