Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Park Hills faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Hills gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #207 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1993.
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 Park Hills 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 Park Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Park Hills, and Park Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #207 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Park Hills’ residents live in 6 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, Park Hills has more expected damage per building than 84% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Park Hills: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Park Hills flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Park Hills, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $4K
Park Hills 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. Francois County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Park Hills
Disasters that paid out in Park Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Park Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$227 aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding82 households applied for aid$184K aid approved$131K to the City of Park Hills for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$41K to the City of Park Hills for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$16K to the City of Park Hills for repairs
St. Francois 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 Park Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Park Hills archive →Park Hills and its neighbors
Park Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desloge | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Park Hills | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Leadington | — | 901 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 Park Hills 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 Park Hills
Is Park Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Hills has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #207 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Park Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Park Hills since 1993, $404K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Park Hills 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. Francois County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Park Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Park Hills’ 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 Park Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Park Hills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2009): 82 households applied for aid, $184K approved, and $131K to the City of Park Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Park Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Park Hills’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Park Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Park Hills’ 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.