Photo: JDMcGreg · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Manchester than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #161 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 1979.
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 Manchester 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 Manchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manchester, and Manchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #161 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manchester’s residents live in 8 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, Manchester has more expected damage per building than 65% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Manchester: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manchester flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manchester, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike4 claims · $352K
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $10K
Manchester 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manchester
Disasters that paid out in Manchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$730 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$23K to the City of Manchester for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$7K to the City of Manchester for repairs
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 Manchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manchester archive →Manchester and its neighbors
Manchester is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballwin | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Winchester | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Manchester | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Valley Park | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1,958 |
| Twin Oaks | — | 734 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 Manchester 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 Manchester
Is Manchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #161 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Manchester since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (4).
Is Manchester 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 Manchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manchester’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 Manchester?
By FEMA money that reached Manchester, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $23K to the City of Manchester for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 4 paid, $352K.
Is Manchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Manchester’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manchester’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.