Photo: Shane52sk at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts St. Peters’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Peters gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #181 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 98 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. Peters’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. Peters 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. Peters’ grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Peters, and St. Peters’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C #181 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Peters’ residents live in 24 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. Peters has more expected damage per building than 73% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.8M a year in losses across St. Peters: $19.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Peters flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Peters, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding22 claims · $798K
- The Late July Flooding19 claims · $573K
St. Peters 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. Peters
Disasters that paid out in St. Peters itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Peters), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding723 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$800K to the City of St. Peters for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$551K to the City of St. Peters for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding72 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$345K to the City of St. Peters for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$271K to the City of St. Peters for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado38 households applied for aid$70K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$40K to the City of St. Peters for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$122K to the City of St. Peters 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. Peters after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Peters archive →St. Peters and its neighbors
St. Peters is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weldon Spring | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| St. Peters | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| St. Charles | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 647 |
| O'Fallon | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Cottleville | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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. Peters 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. Peters
Is St. Peters at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Peters has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #181 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Peters flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in St. Peters since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (22).
Is St. Peters 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. Peters?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Peters’ 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. Peters?
By FEMA money that reached St. Peters, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 723 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $800K to the City of St. Peters for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 22 paid, $798K.
Is St. Peters at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and St. Peters’ rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Peters.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Peters’ 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.