Licking’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Licking gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #124 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Licking 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
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 Licking’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Licking, and Licking’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #124 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Licking’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, Licking has more expected damage per building than 50% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Licking: $489K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Licking flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Licking, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Licking isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Texas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Licking
Disasters that paid out in Licking itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Licking), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$8K to the City of Licking for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding19 households applied for aid$138K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$24K to the City of Licking for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$115K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Texas County has had 23 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 Licking after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Licking archive →Get ready for what Licking 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.
- 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 Licking
Is Licking at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Licking has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #124 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Licking flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Licking since 1978, $60K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Licking 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 Texas County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Licking?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Licking’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 Licking?
By FEMA money that reached Licking, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 19 households applied for aid, $138K approved.
Is Licking at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Licking’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Licking.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Licking’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.