Lindenwood Neighborhood Historic District · Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts St. Charles’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Charles gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #188 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 647 claims here since 1978.
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 St. Charles’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. Charles 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
Tornadoes
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 St. Charles’ grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Charles, and St. Charles’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #188 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Charles’ residents live in 25 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, St. Charles has more expected damage per building than 76% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $40.7M a year in losses across St. Charles: $28.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Charles flood? Yes: 647 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Charles, from FEMA’s records: 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding132 claims · $3.3M
- The Late July Flooding72 claims · $2.6M
- The Late spring storms30 claims · $1.5M
St. Charles 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. Charles County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Charles
Disasters that paid out in St. Charles itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Charles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding1,193 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$2.5M to the City of St. Charles for repairs74 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding223 households applied for aid$579K aid approved$208K to the City of St. Charles for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding100 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$178K to the City of St. Charles for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$108K to the City of St. Charles for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado55 households applied for aid$123K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding167 households applied for aid$512K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$593K to the City of St. Charles for repairs
St. Charles 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 St. Charles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Charles archive →St. Charles and its neighbors
St. Charles is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeton | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| St. Peters | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| St. Charles | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 647 |
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 St. Charles 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.
- 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.
- 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 St. Charles
Is St. Charles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Charles has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #188 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Charles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 647 claims in St. Charles since 1978, $12.5M in all, or 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 63 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (132).
Is St. Charles 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. Charles County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Charles?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Charles’ 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 St. Charles?
By FEMA money that reached St. Charles, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 1,193 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $2.5M to the City of St. Charles for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 132 paid, $3.3M.
Is St. Charles at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and St. Charles’ rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Charles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Charles’ 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.