On FEMA’s figures, Velda City faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Velda City gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then earthquakes (38%). 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 Velda 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
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 Velda City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Velda City, and Velda City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Velda City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $800K a year in losses across Velda City: $259K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Velda City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Velda City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Velda 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Velda City
Disasters that paid out in Velda City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Velda City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$4K to the City of Velda City for repairs
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 Velda City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Velda City archive →Velda City and its neighbors
Velda City is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normandy | B−less damage than 50% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Hillsdale | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Velda City | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Velda Village Hills | — | 858 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 Velda 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.
- 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 Velda City
Is Velda City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Velda City has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and earthquakes (38%). 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.
Is Velda 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 Velda City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Velda 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 Velda City?
By FEMA money that reached Velda City, Severe Winter Storms (2006): $4K to the City of Velda City for repairs.
Is Velda City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Velda City’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Velda City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Velda 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.