FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Woodson Terrace as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodson Terrace gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #99 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Woodson Terrace 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 Woodson Terrace’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodson Terrace, and Woodson Terrace’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #99 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodson Terrace’s residents live in 3 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, Woodson Terrace has less expected damage per building than 60% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Woodson Terrace: $930K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodson Terrace flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodson Terrace, 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.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $4K
Woodson Terrace 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodson Terrace
Disasters that paid out in Woodson Terrace itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woodson Terrace), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$39K to the City of Woodson Terrace for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Woodson Terrace for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$20K to the City of Woodson Terrace 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 Woodson Terrace after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodson Terrace archive →Woodson Terrace and its neighbors
Woodson Terrace is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Woodson Terrace | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Breckenridge Hills | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| St. John | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Edmundson | — | 975 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Woodson Terrace 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 Woodson Terrace
Is Woodson Terrace at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodson Terrace has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #99 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodson Terrace flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Woodson Terrace since 1982, $21K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Woodson Terrace 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 Woodson Terrace?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodson Terrace’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 Woodson Terrace?
By FEMA money that reached Woodson Terrace, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2013): $39K to the City of Woodson Terrace for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Woodson Terrace at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Woodson Terrace’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodson Terrace.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodson Terrace’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.