Photo: Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pacific than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pacific gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #221 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 425 claims here since 1982.
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 Pacific’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pacific 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
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 Pacific’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pacific, and Pacific’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D #221 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pacific’s residents live in 4 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, Pacific has more expected damage per building than 89% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Pacific: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pacific flood? Yes: 425 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pacific, from FEMA’s records: 132.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms117 claims · $6.6M
- The March storm86 claims · $3.0M
- The Late spring severe storms80 claims · $4.2M
Pacific isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pacific
Disasters that paid out in Pacific itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pacific), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding83 households applied for aid$179K aid approved80 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding231 households applied for aid$755K aid approved115 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding132 households applied for aid$397K aid approved100 flood claims paid that year
Franklin 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 Pacific after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pacific archive →Pacific and its neighbors
Pacific is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 413 |
| Gray Summit | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pacific | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 425 |
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 Pacific 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.
- 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 Pacific
Is Pacific at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pacific has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #221 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pacific flood?
Flood insurance has paid 425 claims in Pacific since 1982, $15.4M in all, or 132.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 92 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (117).
Is Pacific 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 Franklin County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pacific?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pacific’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 Pacific?
By FEMA money that reached Pacific, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 231 households applied for aid, $755K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 117 paid, $6.6M.
Is Pacific at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Pacific’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pacific.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pacific’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.