Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Malden faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malden gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #239 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (70%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Malden faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Malden’s grade
Earthquakes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Malden, and Malden’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #239 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Malden’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, Malden has more expected damage per building than 97% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Malden: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Malden flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Malden, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $29K
Malden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dunklin County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Malden
Disasters that paid out in Malden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Malden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$3.3M to the City of Malden for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado$27K to the City of Malden for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$464 aid approved
Dunklin County has had 16 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 Malden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Malden archive →Malden and its neighbors
Malden 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Hill Township | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Malden | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 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 Malden faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Malden
Is Malden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malden has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #239 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (70%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Malden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Malden since 1998, $45K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Malden 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 Dunklin County, 1.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Malden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Malden’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 Malden?
By FEMA money that reached Malden, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $3.3M to the City of Malden for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Malden at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Malden’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Malden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Malden’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.