Flood insurance in Missouri
Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Missouri, county by county, from official FEMA records.
Flood claims paid per year
NFIP claims paid in Missouri, 2000–2026
The three costliest years. The worst was 2008, with $113.4 million paid on 3,581 claims.
Insured buildings by flood zone
Zone not reported for 38% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.
Costliest flood events
Named events by NFIP claims paid in Missouri
| 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 |
Flood insurance by county
Counties in Missouri with detailed pages, by number of policies. 60 smaller counties are included in the state totals.
| County | Policies | Avg premium | Claims since 1978 | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County | 3,079 | $2,037 | 12,031 | $264.8 million |
| St. Charles County | 1,329 | $1,549 | 9,999 | $155.9 million |
| Jackson County | 906 | $1,770 | 2,115 | $45.7 million |
| Scott County | 808 | $452 | 484 | $4.4 million |
| Jefferson County | 692 | $1,668 | 4,592 | $69.3 million |
| Clay County | 336 | $1,645 | 799 | $11.1 million |
| Butler County | 324 | $853 | 517 | $10.1 million |
| Buchanan County | 289 | $1,182 | 623 | $22.9 million |
| St. Louis city | 235 | $2,717 | 739 | $10.1 million |
| Franklin County | 223 | $1,823 | 1,097 | $32.2 million |
| Holt County | 223 | $607 | 1,254 | $39.3 million |
| Lincoln County | 200 | $1,427 | 2,253 | $37.1 million |
| Cape Girardeau County | 101 | $1,695 | 1,074 | $11.2 million |
| Marion County | 95 | $1,540 | 535 | $11.2 million |
| Pike County | 79 | $1,132 | 938 | $10.5 million |
| Ste. Genevieve County | 58 | $1,232 | 1,160 | $7.0 million |
Common questions
How much does flood insurance cost in Missouri?
The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Missouri costs about $1,482 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.
How many homes have flood insurance in Missouri?
There are about 14,566 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Missouri, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.
How often does Missouri flood?
Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Missouri have filed 51,304 flood claims, with $983.7 million paid out. 5,456 of those claims were in the last 10 years.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.
How long until a new flood policy starts?
NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.
How to get flood insurance
Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.