Harry Truman Birthplace Memorial · Photo: Karen Montgomery · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lamar than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lamar gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #146 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (13%). 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 Lamar 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
Strong wind
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 Lamar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lamar, and Lamar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #146 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lamar’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lamar has more expected damage per building than 59% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Lamar: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lamar flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lamar, from FEMA’s records: 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $188K
Lamar isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lamar
Disasters that paid out in Lamar itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lamar), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$26K to the City of Lamar for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the City of Lamar for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$70K to the City of Lamar for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1.0M to the City of Lamar for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$12K to the City of Lamar for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
Barton County has had 18 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 Lamar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lamar archive →Lamar and its neighbors
Lamar 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Lamar | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Lamar Heights | — | 111 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 Lamar 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Lamar
Is Lamar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lamar has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #146 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lamar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Lamar since 1981, $252K in all, or 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (3).
Is Lamar 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 Barton County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lamar?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lamar’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 Lamar?
By FEMA money that reached Lamar, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $1.0M to the City of Lamar for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 3 paid, $188K.
Is Lamar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Lamar’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lamar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lamar’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.