Missouri sits at the confluence of the two largest rivers in North America, the Mississippi and Missouri, creating one of the most flood-prone states in the nation. The 1993 flood caused over $15 billion in damage across Missouri with the towns of Valmeyer and Rhineland completely destroyed. The Missouri River flooded extensively in 2011 and again in 2019, with the 2019 event causing over $2 billion in damage. St. Louis, located at the junction of both rivers, has experienced devastating floods throughout its history including major events in 1973, 1993, and 2019. The city's flood protection system includes extensive levees and floodwalls that have been tested repeatedly. Kansas City sits at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers with similar riverine flood risk. Southeast Missouri's low-lying Bootheel region is one of the most flood-prone agricultural areas in the country. The state has over 1,100 NFIP-participating communities, one of the highest totals nationally. Flash flooding in the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri is also a significant concern with narrow valleys channeling storm runoff rapidly.
Missouri Flood Zones
FEMA Flood Zone Lookup in Missouri
Look up any address in Missouri to find its FEMA flood zone designation, insurance requirements, and base flood elevation — sourced from the official National Flood Hazard Layer.
Zone A and Zone AE along the Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, and Osage rivers; Zone X (shaded) for moderate-risk areas in St. Louis and Kansas City; Zone AR for levee-protected areas throughout the state; Zone AO for shallow flooding in the Missouri Bootheel.
St. Louis County, Jackson County, St. Charles County, Cape Girardeau County, Butler County
NFIP premiums typically range $400-$900 for standard-risk properties. Riverfront properties along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers can run $1,200-$3,000 annually. Levee-protected properties may have lower premiums but face risk if levees overtop.
Frequently Asked Questions — Missouri
Why does Missouri flood so much?
Missouri sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, two of North America's largest river systems. The state is a natural collection point for floodwaters from a drainage basin covering 40% of the continental U.S.
Is St. Louis protected from flooding?
St. Louis has an extensive flood protection system but it is not invulnerable. The system was tested during the 1993 and 2019 floods with levee overtopping occurring in some areas. Properties behind levees still face flood risk.
How much did the 1993 flood cost Missouri?
The 1993 flood caused over $15 billion in adjusted damage across Missouri. Entire towns like Valmeyer were destroyed and rebuilt on higher ground. The disaster led to major changes in federal flood policy including increased buyout programs.
Disclaimer: FloodZoneCheck is a free research tool using public FEMA data, not an official Standard Flood Hazard Determination. Lenders require a certified determination from a licensed provider. Zone boundaries can cross a single parcel — confirm exact risk and insurance requirements with FEMA or your insurer before relying on this for a purchase or insurance decision.
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