Photo: Kbh3rd · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Palmyra than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #34 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 Palmyra’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Palmyra 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Palmyra’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmyra, and Palmyra’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #34 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmyra’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, Palmyra has less expected damage per building than 87% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Palmyra: $874K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palmyra flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palmyra, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Palmyra isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palmyra
Disasters that paid out in Palmyra itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palmyra), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2.0M to the City of Palmyra for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the City of Palmyra for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado1 households applied for aid$165 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$197K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$5K to the City of Palmyra for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Marion 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.
Old photos of Palmyra after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmyra archive →Get ready for what Palmyra 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Palmyra
Is Palmyra at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #34 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palmyra flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Palmyra since 2013, $3K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Palmyra 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 Marion County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Palmyra?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palmyra’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 Palmyra?
By FEMA money that reached Palmyra, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): $2.0M to the City of Palmyra for repairs.
Is Palmyra at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Palmyra’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmyra.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmyra’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.