Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Pine Lawn 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, Pine Lawn gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #87 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Pine Lawn 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 Pine Lawn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pine Lawn, and Pine Lawn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #87 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pine Lawn’s residents live in 3 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, Pine Lawn has less expected damage per building than 65% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Pine Lawn: $632K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pine Lawn flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pine Lawn, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pine Lawn 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pine Lawn
Disasters that paid out in Pine Lawn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pine Lawn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K to the City of Pine Lawn for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$7K to the City of Pine Lawn 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 Pine Lawn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Lawn archive →Pine Lawn and its neighbors
Pine Lawn has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Lawn | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hillsdale | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Northwoods | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Jennings | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Velda Village Hills | — | 858 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Uplands Park | — | 322 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 Pine Lawn 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 Pine Lawn
Is Pine Lawn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Lawn has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #87 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pine Lawn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pine Lawn since 1993, $378 in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pine Lawn 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 Pine Lawn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine Lawn’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 Pine Lawn?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Lawn, Severe Storms (2006): $7K to the City of Pine Lawn for repairs.
Is Pine Lawn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Pine Lawn’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Lawn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine Lawn’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.