Photo: Doncram · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in West Plains than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Plains gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #197 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 West Plains’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Plains 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
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 West Plains’ grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Plains, and West Plains’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #197 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Plains’ 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, West Plains has more expected damage per building than 80% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.8M a year in losses across West Plains: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Plains flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Plains, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms35 claims · $2.1M
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $230K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $667K
West Plains isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Howell County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Plains
Disasters that paid out in West Plains itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Plains), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$331K to the City of West Plains for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires84 households applied for aid$262K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$118K to the City of West Plains for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding393 households applied for aid$640K aid approved$1.4M to the City of West Plains for repairs36 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$190K aid approved$131K to the City of West Plains for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$660 aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$573K to the City of West Plains for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$80K to the City of West Plains for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$32K to the City of West Plains for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Howell County has had 19 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 West Plains after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Plains archive →Get ready for what West Plains 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.
- 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 West Plains
Is West Plains at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Plains has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #197 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Plains flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in West Plains since 1979, $3.5M in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (35).
Is West Plains 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 Howell County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Plains?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Plains’ 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 West Plains?
By FEMA money that reached West Plains, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 393 households applied for aid, $640K approved, and $1.4M to the City of West Plains for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 35 paid, $2.1M.
Is West Plains at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and West Plains’ rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Plains.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Plains’ 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.