On FEMA’s figures, St. Paul faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Paul gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #222 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 St. Paul 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. Paul’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Paul, and St. Paul’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D #222 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Paul’s residents live in 4 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. Paul has more expected damage per building than 90% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across St. Paul: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Paul flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Paul, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $7K
St. Paul 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.The storms St. Paul remembers
None of the 24 disasters declared for St. Charles County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching St. Paul itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20151 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for St. Charles County
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. Paul after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Paul archive →St. Paul and its neighbors
St. Paul is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| St. Paul | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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. Paul 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. Paul
Is St. Paul at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Paul has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #222 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Paul flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in St. Paul since 2015, $7K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is St. Paul 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. Paul?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Paul’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 St. Paul?
By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is St. Paul at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and St. Paul’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Paul.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Paul’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.