Beverly Theater · Photo: Gavreh · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, University City faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #190 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 510 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 University City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What University City 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
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 University City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in University City, and University City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #190 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
University City’s residents live in 13 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, University City has more expected damage per building than 77% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.0M a year in losses across University City: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does University City flood? Yes: 510 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in University City, from FEMA’s records: 28.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding136 claims · $7.5M
- Hurricane Ike70 claims · $1.9M
- The Midwest Flooding23 claims · $448K
University City 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. Louis County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to University City
Disasters that paid out in University City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of University City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding404 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved142 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$26K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado190 households applied for aid$509K aid approved71 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$243 aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
St. Louis County has had 30 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 University City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the University City archive →University City and its neighbors
University City is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivette | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Vinita Park | B+less damage than 66% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Wellston | B+less damage than 65% | earthquakes | 30 |
| Overland | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Clayton | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Pagedale | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Ladue | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| University City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 510 |
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 University City 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.
- 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 University City
Is University City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University City has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #190 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does University City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 510 claims in University City since 1978, $12.8M in all, or 28.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (136).
Is University City 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. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in University City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for University City’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 University City?
By FEMA money that reached University City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 404 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 136 paid, $7.5M.
Is University City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and University City’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in University City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where University City’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.