Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Imperial’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Imperial gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #179 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 61 claims here since 1979.
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 Imperial’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Imperial 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 Imperial’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Imperial, and Imperial’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #179 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Imperial’s residents live in 2 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, Imperial has more expected damage per building than 72% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Imperial: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Imperial flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Imperial, from FEMA’s records: 31.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms8 claims · $472K
- The Midwest Flooding8 claims · $359K
Imperial 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 Imperial
Disasters that paid out in Imperial itself (aid to households or repair grants to Imperial), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires200 households applied for aid$162K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$1K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$26K 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 Imperial after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Imperial archive →Imperial and its neighbors
Imperial has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Imperial 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 Imperial
Is Imperial at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Imperial has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #179 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Imperial flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Imperial since 1979, $2.5M in all, or 31.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (8).
Is Imperial 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 Imperial?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Imperial’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 Imperial?
By FEMA money that reached Imperial, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires (2025): 200 households applied for aid, $162K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 8 paid, $472K.
Is Imperial at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Imperial’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Imperial.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Imperial’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.