Photo: AbeEzekowitz · CC BY-SA 3.0Joplin’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Joplin gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #124 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 50 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 Joplin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Joplin 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Hail
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 Joplin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Joplin, and Joplin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #124 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Joplin’s residents live in 21 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, Joplin has more expected damage per building than 50% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.3M a year in losses across Joplin: $16.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Joplin flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Joplin, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $69K
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $313K
Joplin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Joplin
Disasters that paid out in Joplin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Joplin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding40 households applied for aid$42K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding45 households applied for aid$38K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding80 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$125K to the City of Joplin for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10,172 households applied for aid$20.6M aid approved$8.6M to the City of Joplin for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding93 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$207K to the City of Joplin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes21 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding57 households applied for aid$131K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1.5M to the City of Joplin for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$179K to the City of Joplin for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Its 2 counties have had 23 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 Joplin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Joplin archive →Joplin and its neighbors
Joplin is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Duenweg | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Joplin | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Loma Linda | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Webb City | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Leawood | — | 512 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grand Falls Plaza | — | 168 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Redings Mill | — | 107 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Saginaw | — | 332 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Airport Drive | — | 941 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 Joplin 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Joplin
Is Joplin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Joplin has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #124 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Joplin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Joplin since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (3).
Is Joplin 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 Jasper County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Joplin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Joplin’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 Joplin?
By FEMA money that reached Joplin, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 10,172 households applied for aid, $20.6M approved, and $8.6M to the City of Joplin for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 3 paid, $69K.
Is Joplin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Joplin’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Joplin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Joplin’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.