Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Osage Beach than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osage Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #166 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
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 Osage Beach 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 Osage Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Osage Beach, and Osage Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #166 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Osage Beach’s residents live in 3 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, Osage Beach has more expected damage per building than 67% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Osage Beach: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Osage Beach flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Osage Beach, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Osage Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Camden County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Osage Beach
Disasters that paid out in Osage Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Osage Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$200 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$243K to the City of Osage Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the City of Osage Beach for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Osage Beach for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$11K to the City of Osage Beach for repairs
Camden County has had 21 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Camden County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Osage Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Osage Beach archive →Osage Beach and its neighbors
Osage Beach is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ozark | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Osage Beach | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Osage Beach 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 Osage Beach
Is Osage Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osage Beach has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #166 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Osage Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Osage Beach since 2008, $123K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Osage Beach 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 Camden County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Osage Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Osage Beach’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 Osage Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Osage Beach, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2013): $243K to the City of Osage Beach for repairs.
Is Osage Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Osage Beach’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Osage Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Osage Beach’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.