Photo: Stephenjayson · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Rolla faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rolla gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #4 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 61 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 Rolla’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rolla 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
Earthquakes
Ice storms
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.
What’s behind Rolla’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rolla, and Rolla’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #4 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rolla’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, Rolla has less expected damage per building than 99% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Rolla: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rolla flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rolla, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms5 claims · $255K
- The March storm1 claim · $633
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Rolla isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Phelps County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rolla
Disasters that paid out in Rolla itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rolla), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires218 households applied for aid$209K aid approved$134K to the City of Rolla for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding18 households applied for aid$28K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$68K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$45K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$205K to the City of Rolla for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding60 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
Phelps 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 Rolla after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rolla archive →Get ready for what Rolla 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Rolla
Is Rolla at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rolla has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #4 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rolla flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Rolla since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (5).
Is Rolla 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 Phelps County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rolla?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rolla’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 Rolla?
By FEMA money that reached Rolla, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires (2025): 218 households applied for aid, $209K approved, and $134K to the City of Rolla for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 5 paid, $255K.
Is Rolla at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Rolla’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rolla.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rolla’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.