Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Moscow Mills than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moscow Mills gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #205 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). 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 Moscow Mills 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 Moscow Mills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moscow Mills, and Moscow Mills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #205 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moscow Mills’ 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, Moscow Mills has more expected damage per building than 83% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Moscow Mills: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moscow Mills flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Moscow Mills. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Moscow Mills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moscow Mills
Disasters that paid out in Moscow Mills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moscow Mills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$703 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$14K to the City of Moscow Mills for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado2 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$750 to the City of Moscow Mills for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$10K to the City of Moscow Mills for repairs
Lincoln County has had 24 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 Moscow Mills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moscow Mills archive →Get ready for what Moscow Mills 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 Moscow Mills
Is Moscow Mills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moscow Mills has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #205 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Moscow Mills 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 Lincoln County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moscow Mills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moscow Mills’ 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 Moscow Mills?
By FEMA money that reached Moscow Mills, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 5 households applied for aid, $26K approved.
Is Moscow Mills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Moscow Mills’ rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moscow Mills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moscow Mills’ 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.