Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Union’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #148 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1979.
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 Union’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Union 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 Union’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union, and Union’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #148 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Union’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, Union has more expected damage per building than 60% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Union: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Union, 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.
- The Late spring severe storms5 claims · $454K
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $997K
Union 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union
Disasters that paid out in Union itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Union), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding10 households applied for aid$67K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding63 households applied for aid$479K aid approved$98K to the City of Union for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$22K to the City of Union for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2000Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding$492K to the City of Union for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
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 Union after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union archive →Get ready for what Union 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 Union
Is Union at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #148 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Union flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Union since 1979, $2.4M in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (5).
Is Union 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 Union?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union’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 Union?
By FEMA money that reached Union, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 63 households applied for aid, $479K approved, and $98K to the City of Union for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 5 paid, $454K.
Is Union at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Union’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union’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.