Moberly Junior High School · Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC0FEMA puts Moberly’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moberly gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #29 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1999.
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 Moberly 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
Earthquakes
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 Moberly’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moberly, and Moberly’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #29 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moberly’s residents live in 4 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, Moberly has less expected damage per building than 89% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Moberly: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moberly flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moberly, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $13K
Moberly isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Randolph County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moberly
Disasters that paid out in Moberly itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moberly), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$22K to the City of Moberly for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the City of Moberly for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$30K to the City of Moberly for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding39 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$2K to the City of Moberly for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$834 aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$68K to the City of Moberly for repairs
Randolph County has had 14 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 Moberly after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moberly archive →Get ready for what Moberly 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Moberly
Is Moberly at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moberly has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #29 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moberly flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Moberly since 1999, $15K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Moberly 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 Randolph County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moberly?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moberly’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 Moberly?
By FEMA money that reached Moberly, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2006): 39 households applied for aid, $104K approved, and $2K to the City of Moberly for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Moberly at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Moberly’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moberly.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moberly’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.