St. Louis, United States

St. Louis Emergency Kit — Personalized for Your Risks

St. Louis is wedged between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in the heart of tornado and flash-flood country — and sits within reach of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, the source of some of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history.

Primary Risks for St. Louis

  • Tornado
  • Flooding
  • Earthquake

Key takeaways for St. Louis

  • Primary risks: Tornado, Flooding, Earthquake
  • Plan for: Prep for three hazards at once — a tornado safe room plus a NOAA radio, quake-secured furniture and Drop/Cover/Hold On for the New Madrid risk, and never drive into floodwater — plus 3+ days of water and food.
  • Read more: City of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency (CEMA)

What you'll get

  • St. Louis-specific risk analysis: AI-powered analysis of disaster risks specific to St. Louis and your exact address.
  • Personalized kit list: Emergency supplies tailored to your household size, pets, and home type.
  • Direct purchase links: One-click links to buy every item in your personalized kit.
  • Emergency action guide: Step-by-step instructions for each disaster type common in St. Louis.

St. Louis Risk Briefing

Local Hazard History

St. Louis faces a rare triple threat. It sits in the heart of tornado country: the May 27, 1896 "Great Cyclone" killed at least 255 people in about 20 minutes and remains the third-deadliest tornado in U.S. history, and as recently as the 2011 Good Friday tornado an EF4 tore through Lambert–St. Louis International Airport. Wedged at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the metro floods in two ways: slow river floods like the Great Flood of 1993, when the Mississippi crested at a record 49.58 feet at St. Louis, and sudden flash floods like July 26, 2022, when a record 8.64 inches of rain fell at Lambert in a single day — breaking a mark set in 1915 — and drowned two people in their vehicles. Less expected but potentially catastrophic is the earthquake threat: St. Louis lies within reach of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, where the 1811–1812 earthquakes (estimated magnitude 7 to 8) rang church bells as far away as the East Coast. The USGS estimates a 25–40% chance of a magnitude 6.0+ quake in the zone within the next 50 years.

When Risk Peaks

  • Mar–Jun: Peak severe-weather season — tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail; spring rain and snowmelt also drive river flooding
  • Late spring–summer: Slow-moving thunderstorms can dump flash-flood rains, as on July 26, 2022 (a record 8.64" at Lambert)
  • Winter: Ice storms and heavy snow can knock out power for days
  • Year-round: Earthquakes follow no season — the New Madrid threat means quake readiness matters in every month

What to Pack for St. Louis

A St. Louis kit has to cover wind, water, and a quake most residents never plan for:

  • For tornadoes: pick your safe room (an interior room on the lowest floor) now, keep sturdy shoes and helmets there, and rely on a NOAA weather radio with alerts plus the NotifySTL system for overnight warnings
  • For earthquakes: secure tall furniture and water heaters, learn Drop, Cover, and Hold On, and keep extra water and food — the central U.S. is far less quake-ready than California
  • For flooding: never drive into water across a road — Turn Around, Don't Drown — and know whether your home is in a flood zone
  • 3+ days of water, food, and medications for storm-driven outages and blocked roads
  • Flashlights, portable chargers, and a manual can opener for multi-day power failures
  • Store copies of key documents in a waterproof bag — flash floods and quakes give little warning

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