Lewis County, MO Environment & Hazard Risk

• Heat waveRelatively Moderate$1.6M/yr expected annual loss, about 8.4 events a year
• LandslideRelatively Low$3,218/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5 years
• DroughtRelatively Low$287K/yr expected annual loss, about 6.7 events a year
• HailRelatively Low$326K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.4 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$622K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.0 events a year
• LightningRelatively Low$151K/yr expected annual loss, about 47 events a year
• EarthquakeVery Low$124K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 628 years
• WildfireVery Low$18.86K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1,506 years
• Cold waveRelatively Low$509K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.4 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Low$536K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• Winter weatherVery Low$15.82K/yr expected annual loss, about 10 events a year
• Ice stormVery Low$14.49K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• HurricaneVery Low$2,486/yr expected annual loss, about once every 100 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

27 of 5,519 (0.5%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

98

Insured in high-risk zones

5 (5%)

Flood claims since 1978

143

Claims paid since 1978

$3.51M

• Hail105
• Thunderstorm Wind87 · 1 death
• Winter Storm31
• Flash Flood27 · 1 death
• Excessive Heat23
• Heat19
• Flood17 · 1 death
• Heavy Snow11
• Tornado10
• High Wind7

• TornadoF2, 20 mi path, 200 yd wide05/11/2003

  Steffenville, Lewis County

  6 injured, $5M damage

  What happened

  A tornado formed just north of the Marion Lewis County line and continued northeast for 20 miles, eventually causing major damage in the city of Canton. The tornado first formed southeast of Steffenville where it damaged a barn and other outbuildings. Six homes suffered varying degrees of roof damage as the tornado crossed Highway N south of Ewing. The tornado crossed Highway 6 southeast of Ewing and damaged an electric substation. From Highway CC north to Highway P, about 20 homes and farm buildings suffered varying degrees of roof, siding and window damage. Numerous large trees were either uprooted or snapped off near the ground as well. The tornado crossed Highway 61 just southeast of Canton where it blew two tractor trailers off the road. Two men suffered minor injuries. The tornado then entered Canton about 630 pm. Information from Emergency Management personnel and city officials in Canton revealed 75-100 structures damaged with at least 40 receiving major damage. At Culver-Stockton College on the southeast side of town, the field house was flattened and another two story building lost its roof. Several very large trees on the campus were uprooted or snapped off near the...

• Thunderstorm Wind35 kt wind07/12/2015

  La Grange, Lewis County

  1 death

  What happened

  Sub-severe thunderstorm winds in combination with saturated soils, caused a large tree to be blown over at Wakonda State Park in the area where RVs are allowed to stay. The tree fell onto an RV, crushing the front section of it. Five people were trapped in the vehicle. One occupant was crushed by the fallen tree and died from his injuries. No one else in the vehicle sustained any injuries.

• Flash Flood07/12/2015

  La Grange, Lewis County

  1 death

  What happened

  Up to five inches of rain fell onto already saturated soils causing flash flooding. Numerous roads were flooded including Highways C and B at LaGrange. County Road 322, also known as 190th Street, was flooded where Reddish Branch Creek flows under it, about 3 miles east northeast of LaBelle, just east of intersection with 145th Avenue. In this location, a pickup truck was driven into the flooded roadway just after midnight on the 12th of July and then swept downstream. The driver was swept about a mile downstream and drowned in the flood waters. Her passenger was able to cling to a tree till he was rescued a few hours later. Several roads were also washed out including 3rd Street at Pierce Street in LaGrange.

• Flood05/15/2010

  Monticello, Lewis County

  1 death

  What happened

  At 245 am, a young woman was travelling west of County Road 195th, when the car she was driving in went into water covering the road due to the North Fabius River, which was in flood. The car became completely submerged and she perished. The North Fabius River was at 21.16 feet at the time of the accident, over ten feet above flood stage, which is 11 feet. The river crested later that morning at 22.19 feet around 1030 am. This is the second highest crest since the gage was installed in June of 2005.

• Flood06/05/2008

  Fenway, Lewis County

  $9.84M damage

  What happened

  The Mississippi River at Canton, MO crested at 27.73 feet on 6/18. This is the second highest crest ever recorded. A major sandbagging effort by the residents, the Missouri National Guard, and volunteers saved much of the town from flooding. Levee breaks upstream on the Illinois side also helped lower the crest, as initially, a record crest was expected. Further south, the town of LaGrange was not as lucky. At least 30 homes and 12 business were flooded. Damage to public infrastructure was estimated at $940,000. Agricultural damage was estimated at $8.9 million.

• TornadoF2, 16 mi path, 150 yd wide04/09/1999

  La Belle, Lewis County

  2 injured, $2.1M damage

  What happened

  A tornado tore a 16 mile path of destruction across Lewis County causing an estimated $2.1 million in damage. The tornado first formed near LaBelle, where it destroyed a modular home and seriously damaged another home. Several barns were destroyed as were numerous sheds and other farm outbuildings. Several homes in town also sustained roof and siding damage. A pickup truck was picked up and moved about 100 yards. The woman occupant suffered minor injuries. The tornado moved northeast and reached its maximum strength in the Midway area, near the intersection of Highway H and Y. In this area 2 homes were considered destroyed as were 3 barns and numerous sheds and outbuildings. The tornado caused more damage as it moved northeast between Monticello and Williamstown. A couple of barns were destroyed as were several outbuildings. Two homes suffered roof damage. There was 1 injury in this area. A man suffered a cut on his head when hit by flying debris.

• Excessive Heat07/27/2026

  Lewis

• Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind04/18/2026

  Lewistown, Lewis County

• Hail2" hail04/17/2026

  Lewistown, Lewis County

• Winter Storm11/29/2025

  Lewis

• High Wind50 kt wind03/05/2025

  Lewis

• Cold/Wind Chill01/21/2025

  Lewis

• Winter Storm01/05/2025

  Lewis

• Hail2" hail06/26/2024

  Williamstown, Lewis County

  $5,000 damage

• Canton PwsServes 3,200 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Lewis County Pwsd 1Serves 1,700 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• Lagrange PwsServes 875 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+3 monitoring or reporting
• La Belle PwsServes 660 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+4 monitoring or reporting
• Lewistown PwsServes 580 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting