FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Northwoods than in 72% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northwoods gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #168 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1978.
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 Northwoods 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
Hail
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 Northwoods’ grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northwoods, and Northwoods’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #168 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Northwoods’ 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, Northwoods has more expected damage per building than 68% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Northwoods: $755K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northwoods flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northwoods, from FEMA’s records: 45.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike14 claims · $154K
- The Late July Flooding6 claims · $108K
- The March storm1 claim · $9K
Northwoods isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northwoods
Disasters that paid out in Northwoods itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northwoods), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$113K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$8K to the City of Northwoods for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$19K to the City of Northwoods for repairs
St. Louis County has had 30 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 Northwoods after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northwoods archive →Northwoods and its neighbors
Northwoods is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Lawn | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Northwoods | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Jennings | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Beverly Hills | — | 488 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Norwood Court | — | 797 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pasadena Hills | — | not graded yet | |
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 Northwoods 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Northwoods
Is Northwoods at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northwoods has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #168 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and earthquakes (36%). 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 Northwoods flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Northwoods since 1978, $687K in all, or 45.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (14).
Is Northwoods 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 St. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northwoods?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northwoods’ 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 Northwoods?
By FEMA money that reached Northwoods, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 19 households applied for aid, $113K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 14 paid, $154K.
Is Northwoods at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Northwoods’ rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northwoods.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northwoods’ 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.