Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Owensville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owensville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #60 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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 Owensville 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
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 Owensville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Owensville, and Owensville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #60 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Owensville’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, Owensville has less expected damage per building than 76% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Owensville: $567K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Owensville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Owensville, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Owensville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gasconade County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Owensville
Disasters that paid out in Owensville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Owensville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$32K to the City of Owensville for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$72K to the City of Owensville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$23K to the City of Owensville for repairs
Gasconade County has had 17 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 Owensville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Owensville archive →Get ready for what Owensville 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.
- 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 Owensville
Is Owensville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owensville has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #60 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Owensville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Owensville since 1981, $1K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Owensville 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 Gasconade County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Owensville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Owensville’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 Owensville?
By FEMA money that reached Owensville, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $72K to the City of Owensville for repairs.
Is Owensville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Owensville’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Owensville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Owensville’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.