Photo: RebelAt at English Wikipedia · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Neosho than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Neosho gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #172 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Neosho’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Neosho 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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 Neosho’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Neosho, and Neosho’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #172 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Neosho’s residents live in 6 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, Neosho has more expected damage per building than 70% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Neosho: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Neosho flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Neosho, from FEMA’s records: 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms19 claims · $736K
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $1K
Neosho isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Newton County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Neosho
Disasters that paid out in Neosho itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Neosho), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$16K to the City of Neosho for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding73 households applied for aid$153K aid approved$112K to the City of Neosho for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding199 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$225K to the City of Neosho for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$64K to the City of Neosho for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$49K to the City of Neosho for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the City of Neosho for repairs
Show all 12
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes171 households applied for aid$507K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$12K to the City of Neosho for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$19K to the City of Neosho for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$1.4M to the City of Neosho for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding14 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Newton County has had 23 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 Neosho after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Neosho archive →Get ready for what Neosho 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Neosho
Is Neosho at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Neosho has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #172 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and ice storms (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Neosho flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Neosho since 1980, $1.6M in all, or 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (19).
Is Neosho 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 Newton County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Neosho?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Neosho’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 Neosho?
By FEMA money that reached Neosho, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $1.4M to the City of Neosho for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 19 paid, $736K.
Is Neosho at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Neosho’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Neosho.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Neosho’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.