Downtown Webb City Historic District · Photo: Kaethesson · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Webb City’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webb City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #136 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1982.
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 Webb 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
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 Webb City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Webb City, and Webb City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #136 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Webb City’s residents live in 5 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, Webb City has more expected damage per building than 55% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Webb City: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Webb City flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Webb City, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Webb 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: Jasper County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Webb City
Disasters that paid out in Webb City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Webb City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$18K to the City of Webb City for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$60K to the City of Webb City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$47K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$737K to the City of Webb City for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Webb City for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$98K aid approved
Jasper County has had 18 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 Webb City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Webb City archive →Webb City and its neighbors
Webb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carterville | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Joplin | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Webb City | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Webb 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.
- 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 Webb City
Is Webb City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webb City has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #136 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Webb City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Webb City since 1982, $319K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Webb 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 Jasper 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 Webb City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Webb 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 Webb City?
By FEMA money that reached Webb City, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $737K to the City of Webb City for repairs.
Is Webb City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Webb City’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Webb City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Webb 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.