Photo: 25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Warrensburg’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warrensburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #7 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1983.
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 Warrensburg 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
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 Warrensburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warrensburg, and Warrensburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #7 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warrensburg’s residents live in 6 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, Warrensburg has less expected damage per building than 98% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Warrensburg: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warrensburg flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warrensburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Warrensburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Warrensburg
Disasters that paid out in Warrensburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Warrensburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Warrensburg for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the City of Warrensburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$937 aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding11 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$895 aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$105K to the City of Warrensburg for repairs
Johnson County has had 17 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 Warrensburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warrensburg archive →Get ready for what Warrensburg 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.
- 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 Warrensburg
Is Warrensburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warrensburg has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #7 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warrensburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Warrensburg since 1983, $14K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Warrensburg 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 Johnson County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warrensburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warrensburg’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 Warrensburg?
By FEMA money that reached Warrensburg, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $105K to the City of Warrensburg for repairs.
Is Warrensburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Warrensburg’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warrensburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warrensburg’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.