Photo: Kbh3rd · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Waynesville faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #163 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 94 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 Waynesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waynesville 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
Ice storms
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 Waynesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waynesville, and Waynesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #163 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waynesville’s residents live in 2 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, Waynesville has more expected damage per building than 66% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Waynesville: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waynesville flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waynesville, from FEMA’s records: 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms7 claims · $113K
- The March storm2 claims · $43K
Waynesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pulaski County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waynesville
Disasters that paid out in Waynesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waynesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$195K to the City of Waynesville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$20K to the City of Waynesville for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding24 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$170K to the City of Waynesville for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$58K to the City of Waynesville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$470K to the City of Waynesville for repairs39 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Waynesville for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$138K to the City of Waynesville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$48K to the City of Waynesville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$12K to the City of Waynesville for repairs
Pulaski 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 Waynesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waynesville archive →Waynesville and its neighbors
Waynesville is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Robert | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Waynesville | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
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 Waynesville 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Waynesville
Is Waynesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesville has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #163 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waynesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Waynesville since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (7).
Is Waynesville 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 Pulaski County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waynesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waynesville’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 Waynesville?
By FEMA money that reached Waynesville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2013): $470K to the City of Waynesville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 7 paid, $113K.
Is Waynesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Waynesville’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waynesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waynesville’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.