On FEMA’s figures, Merriam Woods faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merriam Woods gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2015.
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 Merriam Woods 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
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 Merriam Woods’ grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Merriam Woods, and Merriam Woods’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Merriam Woods’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Merriam Woods: $644K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Merriam Woods flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Merriam Woods, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms5 claims · $116K
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $28K
Merriam Woods isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Taney County.The storms Merriam Woods remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Taney County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Merriam Woods itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20175 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding, declared for Taney County
- 20152 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Taney County
- 20191 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Taney County
Taney County has had 18 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 Merriam Woods after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Merriam Woods archive →Merriam Woods and its neighbors
Merriam Woods has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merriam Woods | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Rockaway Beach | — | 760 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 Merriam Woods 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.
- 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 Merriam Woods
Is Merriam Woods at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merriam Woods has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Merriam Woods flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Merriam Woods since 2015, $192K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (5).
Is Merriam Woods 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 Taney County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Merriam Woods?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Merriam Woods’ 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 Merriam Woods?
By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 5 paid, $116K.
Is Merriam Woods at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Merriam Woods’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Merriam Woods.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Merriam Woods’ 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.