Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Steele faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steele gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (56%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1981.
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 Steele faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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 Steele’s grade
Earthquakes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Steele, and Steele’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Steele’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Steele: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Steele flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Steele, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Steele isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pemiscot County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Steele
Disasters that paid out in Steele itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Steele), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$129K to the City of Steele for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Pemiscot County has had 21 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 Steele after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Steele archive →Get ready for what Steele faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Steele
Is Steele at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steele has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (56%) and river and rain flooding (24%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Steele flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Steele since 1981, $18K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Steele 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 Pemiscot County, 4.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Steele?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Steele’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 Steele?
By FEMA money that reached Steele, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $129K to the City of Steele for repairs.
Is Steele at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Steele’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Steele.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Steele’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.