On FEMA’s figures, Oronogo faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oronogo gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #193 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Oronogo 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
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 Oronogo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oronogo, and Oronogo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #193 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oronogo’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, Oronogo has more expected damage per building than 78% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Oronogo: $791K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oronogo flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oronogo, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oronogo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oronogo
Disasters that paid out in Oronogo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oronogo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$86K to the City of Oronogo for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$90K aid approved
Jasper County has had 18 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 Oronogo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oronogo archive →Get ready for what Oronogo 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.
- 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 Oronogo
Is Oronogo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oronogo has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #193 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oronogo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Oronogo since 1978, $7K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oronogo 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 Jasper County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oronogo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oronogo’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 Oronogo?
By FEMA money that reached Oronogo, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 31 households applied for aid, $90K approved.
Is Oronogo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Oronogo’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oronogo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oronogo’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.