Ernst Schowengerdt House · Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Warrenton than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warrenton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #50 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2009.
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 Warrenton 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 Warrenton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warrenton, and Warrenton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B #50 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warrenton’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, Warrenton has less expected damage per building than 80% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Warrenton: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warrenton flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warrenton, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Warrenton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Warrenton
Disasters that paid out in Warrenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Warrenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$44K to the City of Warrenton for repairs
Warren County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Warrenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warrenton archive →Warrenton and its neighbors
Warrenton is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truesdale | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Warrenton | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wright City | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pendleton | — | 23 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 Warrenton 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 Warrenton
Is Warrenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warrenton has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #50 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warrenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Warrenton since 2009, $1.2M in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Warrenton 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 Warren County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warrenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warrenton’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 Warrenton?
By FEMA money that reached Warrenton, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $44K to the City of Warrenton for repairs.
Is Warrenton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Warrenton’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warrenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warrenton’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.