On FEMA’s figures, Wellston faces less hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellston gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (42%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1979.
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 Wellston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wellston faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Wellston’s grade
Earthquakes are 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellston, and Wellston’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wellston’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Wellston: $733K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellston flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellston, from FEMA’s records: 27.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding9 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Ike5 claims · $671K
Wellston 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wellston
Disasters that paid out in Wellston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wellston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
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 Wellston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellston archive →Wellston and its neighbors
Wellston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellston | B+less damage than 65% | earthquakes | 30 |
| Pagedale | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Normandy | B−less damage than 50% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Hillsdale | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| University City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 510 |
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 Wellston faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Wellston
Is Wellston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellston has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (42%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wellston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Wellston since 1979, $2.7M in all, or 27.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (9).
Is Wellston 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 Wellston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wellston’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 Wellston?
By FEMA money that reached Wellston, Severe Storms and Flooding (2022): 5 households applied for aid, $10K approved. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 9 paid, $1.2M.
Is Wellston at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Wellston’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellston’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.