Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Odessa than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odessa gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #8 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (17%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Odessa 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
Tornadoes
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 Odessa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Odessa, and Odessa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #8 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Odessa’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, Odessa has less expected damage per building than 97% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Odessa: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Odessa flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Odessa. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Odessa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafayette County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Odessa
Disasters that paid out in Odessa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Odessa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$28K to the City of Odessa for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$115K to the City of Odessa for repairs
- 2011Flooding$4K to the City of Odessa for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the City of Odessa for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$148K to the City of Odessa for repairs
Lafayette County has had 20 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 Odessa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Odessa archive →Get ready for what Odessa 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.
- 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.
- 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 Odessa
Is Odessa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odessa has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #8 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (17%). 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.
Is Odessa 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 Lafayette County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Odessa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Odessa’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 Odessa?
By FEMA money that reached Odessa, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $148K to the City of Odessa for repairs.
Is Odessa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Odessa’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Odessa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Odessa’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.