Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Pagedale faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pagedale gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #84 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then earthquakes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Pagedale 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 Pagedale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pagedale, and Pagedale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #84 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pagedale’s residents live in 5 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, Pagedale has less expected damage per building than 66% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Pagedale: $774K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pagedale flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pagedale, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike7 claims · $57K
- The Late July Flooding3 claims · $143K
Pagedale 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pagedale
Disasters that paid out in Pagedale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pagedale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$41K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$798 aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms$9K to the City of Pagedale 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 Pagedale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pagedale archive →Pagedale and its neighbors
Pagedale is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinita Park | B+less damage than 66% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Wellston | B+less damage than 65% | earthquakes | 30 |
| Hanley Hills | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Pagedale | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Normandy | B−less damage than 50% | earthquakes | 1 |
| University City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 510 |
| Greendale | — | 794 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Pagedale 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 Pagedale
Is Pagedale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pagedale has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #84 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pagedale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Pagedale since 1982, $211K in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (7).
Is Pagedale 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 Pagedale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pagedale’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 Pagedale?
By FEMA money that reached Pagedale, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 24 households applied for aid, $41K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 7 paid, $57K.
Is Pagedale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Pagedale’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pagedale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pagedale’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.