Photo: Markkaempfer; modified by Kbh3rd · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Perryville than in 87% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perryville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #226 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (31%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1986.
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 Perryville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
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 Perryville’s grade
Earthquakes are 31% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perryville, and Perryville’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #226 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perryville’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, Perryville has more expected damage per building than 91% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Perryville: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perryville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Perryville, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $1K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $20K
Perryville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Perry County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Perryville
Disasters that paid out in Perryville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Perryville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires61 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$193K to the City of Perryville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$31K to the City of Perryville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$69K to the City of Perryville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Perry County has had 25 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 Perryville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perryville archive →Perryville and its neighbors
Perryville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perryville | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Shakertowne | — | 569 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 Perryville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Perryville
Is Perryville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perryville has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #226 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (31%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Perryville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Perryville since 1986, $142K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Perryville 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 Perry County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Perryville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perryville’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 Perryville?
By FEMA money that reached Perryville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires (2025): 61 households applied for aid, $69K approved, and $193K to the City of Perryville for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Perryville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (31%), and Perryville’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perryville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perryville’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.