Photo: Dave Herholz · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Sedalia faces less hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sedalia gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #30 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1981.
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 Sedalia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sedalia 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
Earthquakes
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 Sedalia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sedalia, and Sedalia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #30 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sedalia’s residents live in 9 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, Sedalia has less expected damage per building than 88% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Sedalia: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sedalia flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sedalia, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $8K
Sedalia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pettis County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sedalia
Disasters that paid out in Sedalia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sedalia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$26K to the City of Sedalia for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding166 households applied for aid$955K aid approved$81K to the City of Sedalia for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the City of Sedalia for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding220 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$49K to the City of Sedalia for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$570 aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$276K to the City of Sedalia for repairs
Pettis County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sedalia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sedalia archive →Get ready for what Sedalia 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Sedalia
Is Sedalia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sedalia has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #30 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sedalia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Sedalia since 1981, $107K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Sedalia 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 Pettis County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sedalia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sedalia’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 Sedalia?
By FEMA money that reached Sedalia, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 166 households applied for aid, $955K approved, and $81K to the City of Sedalia for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Sedalia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Sedalia’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sedalia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sedalia’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.