Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Lemay’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lemay gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #213 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 135 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 Lemay’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lemay 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
Earthquakes
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 Lemay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lemay, and Lemay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #213 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lemay’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, Lemay has more expected damage per building than 86% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.9M a year in losses across Lemay: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lemay flood? Yes: 135 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lemay, from FEMA’s records: 18.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding55 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $11K
Lemay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lemay
Disasters that paid out in Lemay itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lemay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$900 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$13K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
St. Louis County has had 30 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 Lemay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lemay archive →Lemay and its neighbors
Lemay is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affton | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| St. George | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mehlville | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Lemay | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
| St. Louis | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 494 |
| Sugar Loaf Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Lemay 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Lemay
Is Lemay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lemay has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #213 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lemay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 135 claims in Lemay since 1978, $3.5M in all, or 18.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (55).
Is Lemay 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 St. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lemay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lemay’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 Lemay?
By FEMA money that reached Lemay, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 1 households applied for aid, $13K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 55 paid, $1.7M.
Is Lemay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Lemay’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lemay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lemay’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.