Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Mission’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mission gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then wildfire (41%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Mission 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
Wildfire
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 Mission’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mission, and Mission’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 41%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mission’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $972K a year in losses across Mission: $662K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mission flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mission, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mission isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Todd County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mission
Disasters that paid out in Mission itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mission), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding87 households applied for aid$60K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Todd County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mission after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mission archive →Get ready for what Mission 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Mission
Is Mission at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mission has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and wildfire (41%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mission flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Mission since 1997, $2K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mission 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 Todd County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mission?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mission’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 Mission?
By FEMA money that reached Mission, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2019): 87 households applied for aid, $60K approved.
Is Mission at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Mission’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mission.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mission’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.