St. Jude's Episcopal Church · Photo: Sa magnuson33 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Monroe City as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #122 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Monroe City 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 Monroe City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monroe City, and Monroe City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #122 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monroe City’s residents live in 3 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, Monroe City has less expected damage per building than 51% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Monroe City: $957K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monroe City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Monroe City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Monroe City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monroe City
Disasters that paid out in Monroe City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monroe City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Monroe City for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$10K to the City of Monroe City for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding85 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$322K to the City of Monroe City for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$34K to the City of Monroe City for repairs
Monroe County has had 15 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 Monroe City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monroe City archive →Get ready for what Monroe City 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 Monroe City
Is Monroe City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe City has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #122 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Monroe City 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 Monroe County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monroe City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monroe City’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 Monroe City?
By FEMA money that reached Monroe City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2006): 85 households applied for aid, $51K approved, and $322K to the City of Monroe City for repairs.
Is Monroe City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Monroe City’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monroe City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monroe City’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.