Smith, Orie J., Black and White Stock Farm Historic District · Photo: Andrew.Belair · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Kirksville faces less hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirksville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #42 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1981.
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 Kirksville 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
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 Kirksville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kirksville, and Kirksville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #42 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kirksville’s residents live in 7 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, Kirksville has less expected damage per building than 83% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Kirksville: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kirksville flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kirksville, 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 Midwest Flooding3 claims · $11K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $3K
Kirksville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adair County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kirksville
Disasters that paid out in Kirksville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kirksville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$113K to the City of Kirksville for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$14K to the City of Kirksville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$25K to the City of Kirksville for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$149K to the City of Kirksville for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the City of Kirksville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$75K to the City of Kirksville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding84 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$87K to the City of Kirksville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado$11K to the City of Kirksville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding117 households applied for aid$269K aid approved$24K to the City of Kirksville for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$48K to the City of Kirksville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$11K to the City of Kirksville for repairs
Adair County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kirksville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kirksville archive →Get ready for what Kirksville 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.
- 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 Kirksville
Is Kirksville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirksville has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #42 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kirksville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Kirksville since 1981, $399K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Kirksville 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 Adair County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kirksville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kirksville’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 Kirksville?
By FEMA money that reached Kirksville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 117 households applied for aid, $269K approved, and $24K to the City of Kirksville for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $11K.
Is Kirksville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Kirksville’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kirksville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kirksville’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.