Missouri flood insurance and flood history
From FEMA's flood insurance and disaster data · Updated 2026-10-08
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data lists 51,304 flood insurance claims in Missouri since 1978. The NFIP paid $983.7 million on them (building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments, in the dollars of the year paid).
The year with the most claims was 1993, with 9,045, mostly from Midwest Flooding.
In the last ten years (2017–2026) there were 5,456 claims, and the average paid claim was $52,602.
14% of the claims with a recorded flood zone came from buildings outside FEMA's high-risk zones (rated zones B, C and X).
About 0.4% of homes in Missouri had an NFIP flood policy in FEMA's latest count (10,574 of 2,496,627 residential buildings). In the high-risk flood zones (Special Flood Hazard Areas), it was 19% (7,660 of 40,540).
Since 2000, FEMA has made 41 flood-related disaster declarations covering parts of Missouri. The most recent was DR-4939-MO (Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding), declared September 1, 2026.
Flood insurance claims in Missouri by year
Show as a table
| Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 77 | $2.0 million |
| 2025 | 131 | $4.5 million |
| 2024 | 341 | $13.5 million |
| 2023 | 97 | $2.5 million |
| 2022 | 842 | $52.7 million |
| 2021 | 147 | $4.6 million |
| 2020 | 273 | $11.2 million |
| 2019 | 1,775 | $74.5 million |
| 2018 | 173 | $2.6 million |
| 2017 | 1,600 | $80.0 million |
| 2016 | 299 | $10.1 million |
| 2015 | 1,982 | $82.8 million |
| 2014 | 293 | $3.7 million |
| 2013 | 934 | $20.0 million |
| 2012 | 28 | $55,294 |
| 2011 | 1,730 | $53.1 million |
| 2010 | 651 | $17.0 million |
| 2009 | 358 | $4.2 million |
| 2008 | 3,581 | $113.4 million |
| 2007 | 420 | $11.4 million |
| 2006 | 88 | $1.4 million |
| 2005 | 115 | $1.1 million |
| 2004 | 253 | $3.3 million |
| 2003 | 190 | $2.4 million |
| 2002 | 656 | $6.3 million |
| 2001 | 441 | $4.8 million |
| 2000 | 276 | $5.9 million |
| 1999 | 310 | $4.2 million |
| 1998 | 851 | $14.1 million |
| 1997 | 250 | $1.3 million |
| 1996 | 647 | $5.5 million |
| 1995 | 1,960 | $18.5 million |
| 1994 | 1,501 | $24.9 million |
| 1993 | 9,045 | $208.5 million |
| 1992 | 155 | $562,959 |
| 1991 | 224 | $2.2 million |
| 1990 | 999 | $12.7 million |
| 1989 | 85 | $285,153 |
| 1988 | 33 | $60,220 |
| 1987 | 89 | $193,053 |
| 1986 | 2,647 | $19.9 million |
| 1985 | 1,936 | $7.0 million |
| 1984 | 786 | $5.8 million |
| 1983 | 3,577 | $15.1 million |
| 1982 | 4,294 | $34.2 million |
| 1981 | 648 | $1.6 million |
| 1980 | 128 | $203,720 |
| 1979 | 3,069 | $17.1 million |
| 1978 | 319 | $503,456 |
Biggest flood events by NFIP payments
The flood events FEMA's claims data names most often for Missouri, ranked by what the NFIP paid. FEMA names events in its claims records; claims without an event name aren't included here.
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Flooding | 1993 | 5,954 | $172.0 million |
| Early winter storms | 2015 | 1,422 | $72.4 million |
| Late spring severe storms | 2017 | 1,333 | $70.9 million |
| Late July Flooding | 2022 | 649 | $46.1 million |
| Hurricane Ike | 2008 | 1,071 | $41.3 million |
| Not a named storm | 1982 | 3,201 | $31.3 million |
| March storm | 2008 | 1,041 | $30.4 million |
| Late spring storms | 2011 | 765 | $29.7 million |
| Flooding | 1994 | 1,338 | $23.5 million |
| Mid-spring storms | 2011 | 824 | $21.7 million |
What flood insurance costs in Missouri
On June 30, 2026, 14,434 NFIP flood insurance policies were in force in Missouri. For the 9,476 single-family homes among them, the typical (median) yearly cost was about $1,090; the average was $1,310.
| Rated flood zone | Policies | Typical yearly cost, single-family home | Average cost | Average building coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-risk zones (A and V) | 10,254 | $1,140 | $1,430 | $151,000 |
| Moderate- and low-risk zones (B, C and X) | 4,161 | $1,010 | $1,010 | $206,000 |
Cost here is what FEMA's data lists as the policy cost: the premium plus the reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge. It covers single-family homes only (not condos, apartments or businesses), with costs rounded to the nearest $10 and shown only where at least 20 homes back the figure. Your own price depends on your building and the coverage you choose; see how flood insurance is priced. Private flood insurance isn't included.
Policies and average cost by exact flood zone
Flood history by county
Every Missouri county in FEMA's data, sorted by number of NFIP claims since 1978. "Insured" is the share of homes with an NFIP policy; "typical NFIP cost" is the median yearly cost for single-family homes.
| County | Claims | Paid | Insured | Typical NFIP cost | Flood declarations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County | 12,031 | $264.8 million | 0.6% | $1,260 | 14 |
| St. Charles County | 9,999 | $155.9 million | 0.8% | $1,340 | 11 |
| Jefferson County | 4,592 | $69.3 million | 0.7% | $1,210 | 13 |
| Lincoln County | 2,253 | $37.1 million | 0.6% | $1,460 | 13 |
| Jackson County | 2,115 | $45.7 million | 0.2% | $1,090 | 7 |
| Holt County | 1,254 | $39.3 million | 5.2% | $840 | 12 |
| Ste. Genevieve County | 1,160 | $7.0 million | 0.4% | $1,190 | 18 |
| Franklin County | 1,097 | $32.2 million | 0.3% | $1,360 | 8 |
| Cape Girardeau County | 1,074 | $11.2 million | 0.2% | $1,060 | 16 |
| Pike County | 938 | $10.5 million | 0.6% | $1,140 | 11 |
| Clay County | 799 | $11.1 million | 0.3% | $1,210 | 6 |
| St. Louis city | 739 | $10.1 million | 0.1% | $1,410 | 10 |
| Buchanan County | 623 | $22.9 million | 0.7% | $960 | 11 |
| Marion County | 535 | $11.2 million | 0.4% | $1,240 | 11 |
| Butler County | 517 | $10.1 million | 1.4% | $910 | 11 |
| Scott County | 484 | $4.4 million | 4.1% | $510 | 18 |
| Gasconade County | 445 | $8.1 million | 0.4% | $1,490 | 10 |
| Cole County | 416 | $7.6 million | 0.3% | $1,410 | 9 |
| Taney County | 400 | $18.5 million | 0.6% | $1,860 | 14 |
| McDonald County | 386 | $12.8 million | 0.4% | $1,240 | 14 |
| Platte County | 368 | $13.0 million | 0.3% | $1,160 | 9 |
| Cass County | 328 | $5.4 million | 0.3% | $1,260 | 6 |
| Callaway County | 316 | $4.5 million | 0.1% | $1,490 | 11 |
| Phelps County | 305 | $11.6 million | 0.4% | $1,240 | 14 |
| Pulaski County | 267 | $7.0 million | 0.4% | $1,240 | 12 |
| Perry County | 259 | $5.0 million | 0.2% | n/a | 17 |
| Ripley County | 244 | $12.4 million | 1.2% | $1,010 | 12 |
| Newton County | 215 | $5.4 million | 0.6% | $1,560 | 14 |
| Mississippi County | 212 | $4.4 million | 3.5% | $560 | 14 |
| Greene County | 206 | $3.4 million | 0.2% | $860 | 16 |
| New Madrid County | 202 | $3.0 million | 4.0% | $490 | 16 |
| Boone County | 195 | $4.1 million | 0.2% | $1,110 | 11 |
| Ray County | 191 | $2.2 million | 0.7% | $1,410 | 15 |
| Osage County | 180 | $3.4 million | 0.4% | $1,110 | 16 |
| Carroll County | 179 | $3.7 million | 0.3% | n/a | 12 |
| Jasper County | 175 | $2.9 million | 0.2% | $1,190 | 11 |
| Madison County | 155 | $2.6 million | 0.4% | n/a | 12 |
| Andrew County | 146 | $4.0 million | 0.3% | $1,310 | 13 |
| Atchison County | 146 | $5.0 million | 0.2% | n/a | 9 |
| Lewis County | 143 | $3.5 million | 0.5% | $1,090 | 13 |
| Reynolds County | 141 | $3.0 million | 0.3% | n/a | 13 |
| Wayne County | 141 | $3.2 million | 1.0% | $990 | 13 |
| Pemiscot County | 127 | $746,031 | 4.7% | $510 | 13 |
| Montgomery County | 126 | $1.3 million | 0.1% | n/a | 12 |
| Crawford County | 125 | $6.1 million | 0.2% | $2,140 | 15 |
| Carter County | 123 | $5.4 million | 1.2% | $1,260 | 11 |
| Bollinger County | 116 | $2.3 million | 0.2% | n/a | 16 |
| Clark County | 106 | $7.6 million | 0.6% | $990 | 11 |
| Stoddard County | 102 | $1.1 million | 1.0% | $560 | 14 |
| Warren County | 102 | $2.3 million | 0.2% | $1,410 | 5 |
| Maries County | 101 | $3.0 million | 0.2% | n/a | 16 |
| St. Francois County | 94 | $2.8 million | 0.2% | $1,140 | 10 |
| Camden County | 92 | $1.7 million | 0.6% | $1,410 | 13 |
| Christian County | 78 | $2.9 million | 0.2% | $1,040 | 14 |
| Howell County | 75 | $3.6 million | 0.2% | $1,340 | 13 |
| Stone County | 75 | $2.1 million | 0.2% | $1,490 | 13 |
| Howard County | 69 | $858,615 | 0.2% | n/a | 15 |
| Audrain County | 60 | $655,710 | 0.3% | $1,040 | 7 |
| Iron County | 59 | $408,905 | 0.5% | $1,090 | 13 |
| Dunklin County | 58 | $399,485 | 1.9% | $540 | 11 |
| Chariton County | 57 | $820,673 | 0.4% | n/a | 14 |
| Barry County | 53 | $2.1 million | 0.0% | n/a | 17 |
| Ralls County | 51 | $929,289 | 0.2% | n/a | 12 |
| Pettis County | 45 | $335,444 | 0.2% | $1,040 | 6 |
| Johnson County | 44 | $307,126 | 0.3% | $1,140 | 6 |
| Oregon County | 39 | $489,640 | 0.1% | n/a | 13 |
| Benton County | 38 | $317,614 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Washington County | 38 | $264,816 | 0.1% | n/a | 15 |
| Daviess County | 37 | $608,571 | 0.0% | n/a | 10 |
| Lawrence County | 34 | $657,235 | 0.3% | $990 | 12 |
| Miller County | 28 | $553,256 | 0.1% | n/a | 15 |
| Moniteau County | 27 | $261,495 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Laclede County | 26 | $653,763 | 0.1% | n/a | 13 |
| Bates County | 25 | $645,960 | 0.1% | n/a | 9 |
| Livingston County | 24 | $316,861 | 0.0% | n/a | 10 |
| Linn County | 22 | $214,700 | 0.1% | n/a | 10 |
| Adair County | 21 | $530,725 | 0.0% | n/a | 11 |
| Lafayette County | 18 | $275,556 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| Shannon County | 18 | $157,622 | 0.1% | n/a | 16 |
| Barton County | 17 | $269,697 | 0.3% | n/a | 11 |
| Saline County | 16 | $272,408 | 0.1% | n/a | 11 |
| Morgan County | 15 | $161,897 | 0.4% | $1,410 | 12 |
| Texas County | 15 | $309,713 | 0.3% | n/a | 17 |
| Webster County | 13 | $341,225 | 0.1% | n/a | 22 |
| Monroe County | 12 | $198,881 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| Vernon County | 12 | $93,357 | 0.1% | n/a | 13 |
| Polk County | 10 | $132,865 | 0.0% | n/a | 14 |
| Cooper County | 9 | $137,114 | 0.1% | n/a | 10 |
| Wright County | 8 | $93,111 | 0.0% | n/a | 16 |
| Clinton County | 7 | $66,745 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| Nodaway County | 7 | $148,619 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| DeKalb County | 6 | $99,060 | 0.0% | n/a | 5 |
| Harrison County | 6 | $156,657 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| Ozark County | 6 | $334,857 | 0.0% | n/a | 16 |
| Dent County | 5 | $26,602 | 0.1% | n/a | 9 |
| Hickory County | 5 | $340,500 | 0.0% | n/a | 13 |
| Grundy County | 4 | $157,554 | 0.0% | n/a | 11 |
| Knox County | 4 | $1.1 million | 0.0% | n/a | 13 |
| Dallas County | 3 | $27,938 | 0.1% | n/a | 14 |
| Randolph County | 3 | $1,988 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Gentry County | 2 | $35,554 | 0.0% | n/a | 9 |
| Macon County | 2 | $8,285 | 0.0% | n/a | 7 |
| Shelby County | 2 | $80,573 | 0.0% | n/a | 13 |
| Sullivan County | 2 | $329 | 0.0% | n/a | 12 |
| Caldwell County | 1 | $271 | 0.0% | n/a | 6 |
| Henry County | 1 | $8,414 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Putnam County | 1 | $3,122 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| Cedar County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 12 |
| Dade County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 14 |
| Douglas County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 16 |
| Mercer County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| Schuyler County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 6 |
| Scotland County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| St. Clair County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 10 |
| Worth County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
Flood-related FEMA disaster declarations in Missouri
Declarations since 2000 that FEMA lists as involving flooding. "Help for individuals" means FEMA's Individual Assistance was approved for at least part of the area.
| Declaration | Declared | Event | Help for individuals |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4939-MO | Sep 1, 2026 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4929-MO | Aug 3, 2026 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4924-MO | Jun 30, 2026 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4885-MO | Jul 22, 2025 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-4877-MO | Jun 9, 2025 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4876-MO | Jun 9, 2025 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4872-MO | May 21, 2025 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4855-MO | Jan 1, 2025 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4803-MO | Jul 23, 2024 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4741-MO | Sep 21, 2023 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4665-MO | Aug 8, 2022 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4612-MO | Sep 1, 2021 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4552-MO | Jul 9, 2020 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4451-MO | Jul 9, 2019 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4435-MO | May 20, 2019 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4317-MO | Jun 2, 2017 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4250-MO | Jan 21, 2016 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | Yes |
| EM-3374-MO | Jan 2, 2016 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4238-MO | Aug 7, 2015 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4200-MO | Oct 31, 2014 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4144-MO | Sep 6, 2013 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding | No |
| DR-4130-MO | Jul 18, 2013 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4012-MO | Aug 12, 2011 | Flooding | Yes |
| EM-3325-MO | Jun 30, 2011 | Flooding | No |
| DR-1980-MO | May 9, 2011 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
Showing the 25 most recent of 41.
What to do with this
A county's history doesn't tell you your own building's risk. To see your property's flood zone, use FEMA's flood map lookup. To weigh coverage, start with do I need flood insurance? and what flood insurance costs.
Where these numbers come from
All figures on this page are calculated from FEMA's public OpenFEMA datasets:
- NFIP Redacted Claims (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP claims since 1978, downloaded 2026-10-08. Dollar amounts are what the NFIP paid, not adjusted for inflation. Claims filed under private flood insurance aren't included.
- NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (v1) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP residential policy contracts in force (as of August 3, 2026) divided by FEMA's count of residential buildings from the National Structure Inventory. FEMA notes that inventory is incomplete in some counties, which can inflate the rate. Private flood policies aren't counted.
- NFIP Redacted Policies (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP policies in force on June 30, 2026 (a policy counts if its term covers that date and it wasn't cancelled), downloaded 2026-10-08. Policy counts are FEMA's insured units, so a condominium association policy counts each unit. Costs are FEMA's "policy cost" (premium plus reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge) for single-family homes only. Policies FEMA's data doesn't place in a county count toward the state only.
- Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): disaster declarations, downloaded 2026-10-08. We count a declaration as flood-related when FEMA lists flooding (or a dam or levee break) as its incident type or a designated incident type, or the declaration's title mentions flooding.
FEMA's redacted claims data doesn't identify properties, and FEMA notes that some records lack a county or flood zone. See how we use the data.