Photo: Guerreroast · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Olivette faces less hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olivette gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #31 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 stands out about Olivette’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Olivette 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
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 Olivette’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Olivette, and Olivette’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #31 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Olivette’s residents live in 2 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, Olivette has less expected damage per building than 88% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Olivette: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Olivette flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Olivette, from FEMA’s records: 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding4 claims · $166K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Olivette 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Olivette
Disasters that paid out in Olivette itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Olivette), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$48K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$49K to the City of Olivette for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$22K to the City of Olivette for repairs
Show all 7
- 2006Severe Storms$15K to the City of Olivette 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 Olivette after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olivette archive →Olivette and its neighbors
Olivette has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivette | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Overland | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| University City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 510 |
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 Olivette 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.
- 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 Olivette
Is Olivette at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olivette has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #31 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Olivette flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Olivette since 1978, $371K in all, or 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (4).
Is Olivette 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 Olivette?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Olivette’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 Olivette?
By FEMA money that reached Olivette, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $49K to the City of Olivette for repairs. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 4 paid, $166K.
Is Olivette at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Olivette’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olivette.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olivette’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.