Photo: Kbh3rd · CC BY 4.0For tornadoes, Mount Vernon’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Vernon gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #70 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1983.
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 Mount Vernon 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
Strong wind
Ice storms
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 Mount Vernon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Vernon, and Mount Vernon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #70 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Vernon’s residents live in 2 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, Mount Vernon has less expected damage per building than 72% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Mount Vernon: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Vernon flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Vernon, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $12K
Mount Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Vernon
Disasters that paid out in Mount Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$874 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$217K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
Lawrence County has had 16 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 Mount Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Vernon archive →Get ready for what Mount Vernon 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Mount Vernon
Is Mount Vernon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Vernon has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #70 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Mount Vernon since 1983, $60K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Mount Vernon 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 Lawrence County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Vernon’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 Mount Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Vernon, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $217K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $12K.
Is Mount Vernon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Mount Vernon’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Vernon’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.