Photo: KFD129 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kennett than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennett gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #236 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (61%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Kennett faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Kennett’s grade
Earthquakes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kennett, and Kennett’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #236 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kennett’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, Kennett has more expected damage per building than 96% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.3M a year in losses across Kennett: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kennett flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kennett, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kennett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dunklin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kennett
Disasters that paid out in Kennett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kennett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$86K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires$46K to the City of Kennett for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$737K to the City of Kennett for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado$68K to the City of Kennett for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$39K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Dunklin County has had 16 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 Kennett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kennett archive →Get ready for what Kennett faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Kennett
Is Kennett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennett has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #236 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (61%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kennett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Kennett since 1979, $41K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Kennett 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 Dunklin County, 1.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kennett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kennett’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 Kennett?
By FEMA money that reached Kennett, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $737K to the City of Kennett for repairs.
Is Kennett at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Kennett’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kennett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kennett’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.