Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0For ice storms, Mountain Grove’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mountain Grove gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #121 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2013.
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 Mountain Grove 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
Earthquakes
Ice storms
Strong wind
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 Mountain Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mountain Grove, and Mountain Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #121 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mountain Grove’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, Mountain Grove has less expected damage per building than 51% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Mountain Grove: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mountain Grove flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mountain Grove, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $2K
Mountain Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wright County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mountain Grove
Disasters that paid out in Mountain Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mountain Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding11 households applied for aid$21K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$57K to the City of Mountain Grove for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$11K to the City of Mountain Grove for repairs
Wright County has had 21 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 Mountain Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mountain Grove archive →Mountain Grove and its neighbors
Mountain Grove has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Grove | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clinton Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Mountain Grove 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Mountain Grove
Is Mountain Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mountain Grove has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #121 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mountain Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Mountain Grove since 2013, $73K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Mountain Grove 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 Wright County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mountain Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mountain Grove’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 Mountain Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Mountain Grove, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2008): $57K to the City of Mountain Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Mountain Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Mountain Grove’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mountain Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mountain Grove’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.