Gustave Greystone-Meissner House · Photo: Lester Jones, Photographer; Historic American Buildings Survey · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Pevely than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pevely gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #183 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Pevely 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
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 Pevely’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pevely, and Pevely’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #183 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pevely’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, Pevely has more expected damage per building than 74% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Pevely: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pevely flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pevely, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $11K
Pevely isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pevely
Disasters that paid out in Pevely itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pevely), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires23 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms$5K to the City of Pevely for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$2K to the City of Pevely for repairs
Jefferson County has had 26 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 Pevely after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pevely archive →Pevely and its neighbors
Pevely has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pevely | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Barnhart | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Herculaneum | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Horine | — | 781 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 Pevely 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.
- 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 Pevely
Is Pevely at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pevely has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #183 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pevely flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Pevely since 1993, $25K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Pevely 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 Jefferson County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pevely?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pevely’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 Pevely?
By FEMA money that reached Pevely, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 10 households applied for aid, $19K approved, and $2K to the City of Pevely for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Pevely at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Pevely’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pevely.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pevely’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.