Photo: en:User:Cngodles · CC BY 2.5FEMA puts New Madrid’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Madrid gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #245 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (72%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1979.
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 New Madrid’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Madrid faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 New Madrid’s grade
Earthquakes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Madrid, and New Madrid’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #245 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Madrid’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, New Madrid has more expected damage per building than 99% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across New Madrid: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Madrid flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Madrid, from FEMA’s records: 32.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $99K
New Madrid isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: New Madrid County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Madrid
Disasters that paid out in New Madrid itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Madrid), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$414K to the City of New Madrid for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$196K to the City of New Madrid for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$199K to the City of New Madrid for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$945K to the City of New Madrid for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado$123K to the City of New Madrid for repairs
Show all 8
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of New Madrid for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding5 households applied for aid$464 aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
New Madrid County has had 22 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 New Madrid after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Madrid archive →Get ready for what New Madrid faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 New Madrid
Is New Madrid at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Madrid has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #245 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (72%) and river and rain flooding (13%). 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 New Madrid flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in New Madrid since 1979, $428K in all, or 32.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (6).
Is New Madrid 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 New Madrid County, 4.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Madrid?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Madrid’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 New Madrid?
By FEMA money that reached New Madrid, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $945K to the City of New Madrid for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 6 paid, $99K.
Is New Madrid at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and New Madrid’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Madrid.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Madrid’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.