St. Louis is a beautiful city with many forests and rivers, but there are several natural disaster risks to be aware of.

Tornadoes are the most well-known natural disaster in Missouri. St. Louis is located on the eastern edge of what is known as 'Tornado Alley,' and the likelihood of tornadoes increases during the spring (March to May) and fall (October to November). Historically, the 1896 St. Louis tornado is recorded as one of the most damaging tornadoes in U.S. history. In 2011, an EF2 tornado struck St. Louis Lambert International Airport, causing significant damage to airport facilities. The National Weather Service St. Louis office issues tornado watches and warnings in real-time, which can be checked through NOAA Weather Radio and smartphone alert apps. It is important to check in advance whether your residence has a basement or an internal shelter.

Flooding is also a common natural disaster in St. Louis. Due to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, spring snowmelt and heavy rains can cause the rivers to swell significantly. Historically, the 1993 St. Louis flood is recorded as a disaster that struck the Midwest, with the Mississippi River reaching record high levels and causing substantial damage. Recently, flood warnings due to rapid river level rises have been issued intermittently. You can check if the address you plan to move to is in a flood zone using FEMA's Flood Map, and if you live in a flood zone, it is advisable to consider purchasing flood insurance.

Earthquakes are a disaster that St. Louis needs to be more cautious about than expected. The New Madrid Seismic Zone is located southeast of St. Louis. This fault zone is recorded as having caused one of the strongest earthquakes in North America during the winter of 1811-1812, with an estimated magnitude of over 7.0. Experts continue to warn about the possibility of a significant earthquake occurring again along the New Madrid fault. St. Louis is not an area where seismic design is common like in California, so there are concerns about the seismic vulnerability of older buildings. FEMA and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have separate plans for earthquake preparedness related to the New Madrid fault.

Winter ice storms are another disaster that should not be overlooked in St. Louis. This phenomenon occurs when rain falls and the temperature suddenly drops, forming a layer of ice on roads, branches, and power lines. Roads can become dangerously slippery, leading to a surge in traffic accidents, and if power lines break under the weight of the ice, widespread power outages can occur. In February 2021, tens of thousands of households in the St. Louis area experienced power outages due to an ice storm. It is important to have basic emergency supplies such as flashlights, batteries, warm blankets, and emergency food on hand.

For disaster preparedness, it is helpful to refer to the emergency kit preparation checklist provided on Ready.gov. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (Missouri SEMA) provides disaster preparedness information statewide, and both St. Louis County and the city operate emergency alert system registration services. Registering for the county's emergency alert text service after moving will allow you to receive timely information during disaster situations.