Frederick Krause Mansion · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Platte City as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platte City gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #71 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1979.
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 Platte City 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
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 Platte City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Platte City, and Platte City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #71 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Platte City’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, Platte City has less expected damage per building than 72% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Platte City: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Platte City flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Platte City, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $25K
Platte City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Platte County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Platte City
Disasters that paid out in Platte City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Platte City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Platte 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 Platte City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Platte City archive →Platte City and its neighbors
Platte City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,187 |
| Platte City | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Platte City 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.
- 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 Platte City
Is Platte City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platte City has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #71 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Platte City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Platte City since 1979, $104K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% 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 Platte City 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 Platte County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Platte City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Platte City’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 Platte City?
By FEMA money that reached Platte City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 3 households applied for aid, $12K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $25K.
Is Platte City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Platte City’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Platte City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Platte City’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.