Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Raytown than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raytown gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #6 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 95 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Raytown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Raytown 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 Raytown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raytown, and Raytown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #6 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raytown’s residents live in 10 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, Raytown has less expected damage per building than 98% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Raytown: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raytown flood? Sometimes: 95 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raytown, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Raytown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raytown
Disasters that paid out in Raytown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Raytown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$47K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding117 households applied for aid$195K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$1.1M to the City of Raytown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Jackson County has had 23 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 Raytown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raytown archive →Raytown and its neighbors
Raytown has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raytown | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
| Kansas City | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,187 |
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 Raytown 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 Raytown
Is Raytown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raytown has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #6 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raytown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 95 claims in Raytown since 1978, $571K in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Raytown 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 Jackson County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raytown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raytown’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 Raytown?
By FEMA money that reached Raytown, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $1.1M to the City of Raytown for repairs.
Is Raytown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Raytown’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raytown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raytown’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.