Missouri Floodplain Management/Floodplain Insurance Programs
What you should know about flood insurance
- Homeowners are 85 percent more likely to use a flood insurance policy during the span of a 30-year mortgage rather than a homeowner’s policy.
- More than 20 percent of NFIP claims are submitted by people who own property outside of high-risk areas.
- If you live in an area with a high risk of flooding, you have a 25 percent chance of your home being flooded over a 30-year mortgage. In moderate- to low-risk zones, the chance of flooding is lower but still present.
Source: National Flood Insurance Program figures for U.S.
Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action
Flooding is generally the most common and costliest type of disaster Missouri experiences, but standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding, so it’s important to have protection from damage associated with flooding.
SEMA’s Floodplain Management Section administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for the state of Missouri. NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the program, providing more than $4 billion in flood insurance coverage for Missouri homes and business annually. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements.
The National Flood Insurance Program was created by Congress in 1968 to provide a means for property owners to protect themselves financially from flood events. The program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements.
Missouri communities that have recently enrolled in the NFIP
Dennis Acres | 2021 |
Polo | 2021 |
Rich Hill | 2021 |
Russellville | 2021 |
Barnett | 2022 |
Brumley | 2022 |
Grandin | 2023 |
Arrow Rock | 2023 |
Washburn | 2023 |
Houstonia | 2023 |
How NFIP Insurance Policies Helped Missouri Homeowners in Historic 2017 Flooding
- More than $64 million was paid to policyholders, with the paid out claims averaging more than $63,500.00 per policy.
- $19 million was paid to policyholders before the federal disaster was declared (Flood insurance pays even when there is no disaster declaration.)
- 26 percent of NFIP claims filed were NOT in a Special Flood Hazard Area.