Wilson Larimore House · Photo: National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Spanish Lake as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spanish Lake gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #128 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Spanish Lake 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
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 Spanish Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spanish Lake, and Spanish Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #128 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Spanish Lake’s residents live in 5 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, Spanish Lake has more expected damage per building than 52% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.8M a year in losses across Spanish Lake: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spanish Lake flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spanish Lake, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $11K
Spanish Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spanish Lake
Disasters that paid out in Spanish Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to Spanish Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$535 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$795 aid approved
St. Louis County has had 30 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 Spanish Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spanish Lake archive →Spanish Lake and its neighbors
Spanish Lake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Lake | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Glasgow Village | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Bellefontaine Neighbors | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Old Jamestown | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| St. Louis | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 494 |
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 Spanish Lake 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.
- 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 Spanish Lake
Is Spanish Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spanish Lake has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #128 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spanish Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Spanish Lake since 1979, $105K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Spanish Lake 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 St. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spanish Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spanish Lake’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 Spanish Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Spanish Lake, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 5 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Spanish Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Spanish Lake’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spanish Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spanish Lake’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.