Photo: Catfilmnoir a.k.a. Carol Baier · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Macon faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Macon gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #69 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1983.
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 Macon 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 Macon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Macon, and Macon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #69 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Macon’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, Macon has less expected damage per building than 72% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Macon: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Macon flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Macon, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Macon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macon County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Macon
Disasters that paid out in Macon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Macon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the City of Macon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$268K to the City of Macon for repairs
Macon County has had 19 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 Macon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Macon archive →Get ready for what Macon 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 Macon
Is Macon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Macon has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #69 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Macon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Macon since 1983, $12K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Macon 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 Macon County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Macon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Macon’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 Macon?
By FEMA money that reached Macon, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $268K to the City of Macon for repairs.
Is Macon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Macon’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Macon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Macon’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.