Photo: MoBikeFed · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Wildwood faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wildwood gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #96 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1993.
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 Wildwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wildwood 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
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 Wildwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wildwood, and Wildwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #96 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wildwood’s residents live in 10 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, Wildwood has less expected damage per building than 61% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.8M a year in losses across Wildwood: $15.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wildwood flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wildwood, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $150K
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $246K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $9K
Wildwood 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wildwood
Disasters that paid out in Wildwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wildwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires9 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$536 aid approved$23K to the City of Wildwood for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$40K to the City of Wildwood for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$95K to the City of Wildwood for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$53K to the City of Wildwood for repairs
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 Wildwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wildwood archive →Wildwood and its neighbors
Wildwood is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Ellisville | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wildwood | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Clarkson Valley | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Eureka | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 413 |
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 Wildwood 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.
- 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 Wildwood
Is Wildwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wildwood has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #96 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wildwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Wildwood since 1993, $640K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer 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 (3).
Is Wildwood 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 Wildwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wildwood’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 Wildwood?
By FEMA money that reached Wildwood, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $95K to the City of Wildwood for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 3 paid, $150K.
Is Wildwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Wildwood’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wildwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wildwood’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.