FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Shell Knob than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shell Knob gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Shell Knob 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 Shell Knob’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shell Knob, and Shell Knob’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 7%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shell Knob’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Shell Knob: $876K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shell Knob flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Shell Knob. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Shell Knob isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barry County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shell Knob
Disasters that paid out in Shell Knob itself (aid to households or repair grants to Shell Knob), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$404 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Barry County has had 24 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 Shell Knob after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shell Knob archive →Get ready for what Shell Knob 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 Shell Knob
Is Shell Knob at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shell Knob has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Shell Knob 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 Barry County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shell Knob?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shell Knob’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 Shell Knob?
By FEMA money that reached Shell Knob, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 3 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is Shell Knob at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Shell Knob’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shell Knob.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shell Knob’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.