Storms, floods and disasters in Risco
Risco isn’t graded for hazard risk: Risco has 288 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1985.
What Risco faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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.
Does Risco flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Risco, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $12K
Risco isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: New Madrid County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Risco
Disasters that paid out in Risco itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Risco), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$38K to the City of Risco for repairs
New Madrid County has had 22 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 Risco after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Risco archive →Get ready for what Risco faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Risco
Does Risco flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Risco since 1985, $68K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Risco 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 New Madrid County, 4.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Risco?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Risco’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 Risco?
By FEMA money that reached Risco, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $38K to the City of Risco for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $12K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Risco.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Risco’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.