Montserrat Recreation Demonstration Area Bridge · Photo: 25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Knob Noster than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knob Noster gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #40 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 2007.
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 Knob Noster’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Knob Noster 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
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 Knob Noster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Knob Noster, and Knob Noster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #40 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Knob Noster’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, Knob Noster has less expected damage per building than 84% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Knob Noster: $544K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Knob Noster flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Knob Noster, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Knob Noster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Knob Noster
Disasters that paid out in Knob Noster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Knob Noster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Knob Noster for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding40 households applied for aid$85K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding30 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$7K to the City of Knob Noster for repairs
Johnson County has had 17 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 Knob Noster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Knob Noster archive →Knob Noster and its neighbors
Knob Noster 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteman AFB | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Knob Noster | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Knob Noster 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.
- 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 Knob Noster
Is Knob Noster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knob Noster has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #40 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Knob Noster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Knob Noster since 2007, $199K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Knob Noster 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 Johnson County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Knob Noster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Knob Noster’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 Knob Noster?
By FEMA money that reached Knob Noster, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 40 households applied for aid, $85K approved.
Is Knob Noster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Knob Noster’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Knob Noster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Knob Noster’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.