Downing Street Historic District · Photo: User:Jessalo · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hollister faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hollister gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #223 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1995.
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 Hollister’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hollister 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
Ice storms
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 Hollister’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hollister, and Hollister’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #223 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hollister’s residents live in 5 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, Hollister has more expected damage per building than 90% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Hollister: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hollister flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hollister, from FEMA’s records: 18.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $100K
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $14K
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $157K
Hollister isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Taney County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hollister
Disasters that paid out in Hollister itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hollister), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding17 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$80K to the City of Hollister for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$83K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$106K to the City of Hollister for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding97 households applied for aid$388K aid approved$14K to the City of Hollister for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$13K to the City of Hollister for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$15K to the City of Hollister for repairs
Show all 7
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$144K aid approved
Taney County has had 18 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 Hollister after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hollister archive →Hollister and its neighbors
Hollister is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branson | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Hollister | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
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 Hollister 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Hollister
Is Hollister at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hollister has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #223 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and ice storms (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hollister flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Hollister since 1995, $923K in all, or 18.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Hollister 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 Taney County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hollister?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hollister’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 Hollister?
By FEMA money that reached Hollister, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 97 households applied for aid, $388K approved, and $14K to the City of Hollister for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $100K.
Is Hollister at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Hollister’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hollister.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hollister’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.