Photo: Michaelalandis · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Republic’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Republic gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #39 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1982.
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 Republic’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Republic 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Republic’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Republic, and Republic’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #39 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Republic’s residents live in 6 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, Republic has less expected damage per building than 85% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Republic: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Republic flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Republic, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $6K
Republic isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Republic
Disasters that paid out in Republic itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Republic), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$904 aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1 households applied for aid$580 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$534K to the City of Republic for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$10K to the City of Republic for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Greene 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 Republic after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Republic archive →Republic and its neighbors
Republic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Republic | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Republic 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Republic
Is Republic at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Republic has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #39 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and ice storms (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Republic flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Republic since 1982, $37K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Republic 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 Greene County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Republic?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Republic’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 Republic?
By FEMA money that reached Republic, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $534K to the City of Republic for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Republic at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Republic’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Republic.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Republic’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.