Water Damage Restoration in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City by the numbers: 51 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 93 freezing nights a year, 5 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Missouri insurance rules and costs.
Updated October 31, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Kansas City
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
How Often Kansas City Floods
The 9 Missouri counties of the Kansas City metro area logged flooding on 51 days from 2016 to 2025 (181 NOAA reports), May most often.
At the Kansas City Downtown Airport gauge, June is the wettest month with 5.3 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 1 |
| February | 0 | 1.5 |
| March | 3 | 2.1 |
| April | 6 | 3.9 |
| May | 13 | 5.1 |
| June | 6 | 5.3 |
| July | 10 | 4.4 |
| August | 7 | 4.7 |
| September | 5 | 3.8 |
| October | 1 | 3.2 |
| November | 0 | 1.8 |
| December | 0 | 1.3 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 23 | 59 |
| Clay County | 18 | 29 |
| Cass County | 17 | 28 |
| Platte County | 12 | 21 |
| Lafayette County | 8 | 15 |
| Bates County | 7 | 8 |
| Caldwell County | 6 | 12 |
| Ray County | 5 | 7 |
| Clinton County | 2 | 2 |
Freezing Nights in Kansas City
Kansas City averages 93 nights a year at or below 32°F (Kansas City Downtown Airport station). About 31 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 24 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 9 Missouri counties of the Kansas City metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Kansas City
The 9 Missouri counties of the Kansas City metro area were named in 5 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- July 17, 2023: Hail, 5 inch hail (Cass County)Many softball size hail reports from just west of Garden City. A photo was sent in on social media of a massive 5 diameter hailstone from Aspen Payne Ranch just west of Garden City.
- June 8, 2022: Tornado, EF2 (Jackson County)The tornado developed within a larger bowing line segment of thunderstorms moving across the region. In addition to the tornado, a large swath of wind damage was noted south of the tornado track.
- June 11, 2021: Thunderstorm wind, 90 mph gust (Clay County)Law enforcement estimated 80 to 90 mph wind that took down several 1 foot diameter trees between Kearney and Excelsior Springs. The trees were healthy and debris was strung everywhere.
- March 14, 2019: Flood (Platte County)While Platte County escaped much of the devastating flooding that affected portions of Buchanan, Holt and Atchison Counties, the Missouri River still rose to near record levels and impacted portions of Platte County.
- March 6, 2017: Tornado, EF3 (Jackson County)On the evening of March 6 a supercell formed in eastern Kansas and moved ESE into the southern portions of the Kansas City metro area. It produced a weak tornado near Leawood, Kansas then another near Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Federal disaster declarations
- September 21, 2023: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4741
- September 1, 2021: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4612
- July 9, 2020: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4552
- July 9, 2019: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4451
- May 20, 2019: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4435
Kansas City Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Kansas City (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 245,346 housing units, a median build year of 1969, 63% built before 1980, 52% before 1970, 55% owner occupied.
Missouri Insurance Rules for Water Claims
Missouri insurers must provide the forms needed to file a claim within 15 calendar days of a request (RSMo 375.1007).
Claim problems in Missouri go to the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Kansas City flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Kansas City
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Kansas City
The same 24/7 line covers the Kansas City metro area, including:
- Kansas City
- Independence
- Lee's Summit
- Blue Springs
- Liberty
- Raytown
- Gladstone
- Grandview
- Raymore
- Belton
Other Missouri city guides
Questions
When is the first freeze in Kansas City?
The median first night at or below 32°F is November 2 and the median last is April 4 at the Kansas City Downtown Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, RSMo 375.1007, EPA mold guide.