West Plains, MO natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in West Plains comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 54 claims here since 1979. 11 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is West Plains?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in West Plains to be higher than in 73% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and earthquakes.
What West Plains faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does West Plains flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Plains, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Late spring severe storms: 35 claims, $2.1M
- Mid-spring storms: 3 claims, $230K
- Central U.S. April Flooding: 2 claims, $667K
Homes that flooded again and again
■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (1) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
11 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in West Plains itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of West Plains.
Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires
Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Winter Storm
Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado
Severe Storms and Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across West Plains total about $9.1M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.