Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Sullivan faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #56 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (18%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Sullivan 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 Sullivan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sullivan, and Sullivan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #56 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sullivan’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, Sullivan has less expected damage per building than 78% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Sullivan: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sullivan flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sullivan. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sullivan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sullivan
Disasters that paid out in Sullivan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sullivan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding11 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$75K to the City of Sullivan for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
Franklin County has had 20 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 Sullivan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sullivan archive →Sullivan and its neighbors
Sullivan has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Oak Grove Village | — | 347 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| West Sullivan | — | 220 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Sullivan 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 Sullivan
Is Sullivan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #56 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sullivan 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 Franklin County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sullivan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sullivan’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 Sullivan?
By FEMA money that reached Sullivan, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $75K to the City of Sullivan for repairs.
Is Sullivan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Sullivan’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sullivan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sullivan’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.