Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Mountain View’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mountain View gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #152 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 View 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
Tornadoes
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 Mountain View’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mountain View, and Mountain View’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #152 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mountain View’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Mountain View has more expected damage per building than 61% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Mountain View: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mountain View flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mountain View, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $2K
Mountain View isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Howell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mountain View
Disasters that paid out in Mountain View itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mountain View), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$34K to the City of Mountain View for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$347K aid approved$41K to the City of Mountain View for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding28 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$100K to the City of Mountain View for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
Howell County has had 19 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 Mountain View after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mountain View archive →Get ready for what Mountain View 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.
- 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.
- 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 Mountain View
Is Mountain View at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mountain View has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #152 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mountain View flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mountain View since 2017, $2K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Mountain View 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 Howell County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mountain View?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mountain View’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 View?
By FEMA money that reached Mountain View, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 37 households applied for aid, $347K approved, and $41K to the City of Mountain View for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Mountain View at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Mountain View’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mountain View.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mountain View’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.