FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Riverside as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverside gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #100 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 68 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 stands out about Riverside’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Riverside 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 Riverside’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Riverside, and Riverside’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #100 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Riverside’s residents live in 2 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, Riverside has less expected damage per building than 60% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Riverside: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Riverside flood? Sometimes: 68 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Riverside, from FEMA’s records: 40.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding50 claims · $7.1M
Riverside 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Riverside
Disasters that paid out in Riverside itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Riverside), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$13K to the City of Riverside for repairs
- 2011Flooding$23K to the City of Riverside for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$35K to the City of Riverside for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding54 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$143K to the City of Riverside for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$19K to the City of Riverside for repairs
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 Riverside after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Riverside archive →Riverside and its neighbors
Riverside is 4th of the 4 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 74% | river and rain flooding | 278 |
| Parkville | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Kansas City | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,187 |
| Riverside | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Northmoor | — | 371 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 Riverside 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 Riverside
Is Riverside at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverside has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #100 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Riverside flood?
Flood insurance has paid 68 claims in Riverside since 1979, $7.4M in all, or 40.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (50).
Is Riverside 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 Riverside?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Riverside’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 Riverside?
By FEMA money that reached Riverside, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 54 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $143K to the City of Riverside for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 50 paid, $7.1M.
Is Riverside at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Riverside’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Riverside.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Riverside’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.