Photo: Mcasagrand · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Sarcoxie faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sarcoxie gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1993.
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 Sarcoxie 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
Ice storms
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 Sarcoxie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sarcoxie, and Sarcoxie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sarcoxie’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $785K a year in losses across Sarcoxie: $507K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sarcoxie flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sarcoxie, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $16K
Sarcoxie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sarcoxie
Disasters that paid out in Sarcoxie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sarcoxie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$200 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$42K to the City of Sarcoxie for repairs
Jasper County has had 18 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 Sarcoxie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sarcoxie archive →Get ready for what Sarcoxie 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.
- 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.
- 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 Sarcoxie
Is Sarcoxie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sarcoxie has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sarcoxie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Sarcoxie since 1993, $43K in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Sarcoxie 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 Jasper 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 Sarcoxie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sarcoxie’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 Sarcoxie?
By FEMA money that reached Sarcoxie, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $42K to the City of Sarcoxie for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Sarcoxie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Sarcoxie’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sarcoxie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sarcoxie’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.