STORM DAMAGE · ST. JOSEPH
Storm Damage Repair in St. Joseph
Most of the severe weather NOAA records in Buchanan County is thunderstorm wind, not tornadoes. After a storm we fix fences, siding, trim, gutters, storm doors and windows, and we document the damage for your insurance claim.
What St. Joseph's storms actually look like
From NOAA's Storm Events Database for Buchanan County, 2020 through mid-2026:
- 82 thunderstorm-wind reports, 28 of them in 2025 alone.
- 82 mph gust measured at the St. Joseph airport on June 30, 2023.
- 80 mph gust at the Highway 36 and 10th Street station on June 27, 2020.
- 74 mph gust at the airport in a non-thunderstorm wind event on March 31, 2023.
- An EF-1 tornado on March 29, 2022, in NOAA's words "EF-1 damage occurred at a residence on the northeast side of town."
- May 18, 2026: a 61 mph gust at the airport, a downed tree damaging a vehicle in St. Joseph, and a "Downed tree at a residence near Hall Street."
- Flash flooding: in July 2020, along the North Belt Highway between Karnes Road and Gene Field Road ("This area does not typically flood"). In July 2022, 3 to 4 inches of rain fell across the St. Joseph area, with one water rescue.
Hail is less of a story inside the city: the largest hail NOAA recorded in the county over those years (1.75 inches) fell at Faucett, not in St. Joseph.
Right after the storm
- Safety first. Stay away from downed lines and call Evergy and 911. If you smell gas, leave and call Spire.
- Document damage only from safe access: take wide shots and close-ups where you can without approaching downed lines, unstable structures or debris hazards. Do not climb onto a roof or damaged deck for a photograph.
- Arrange safe temporary protection. Have qualified help secure openings when it is safe to do so. Ask the insurer what evidence to retain; do not handle hazardous debris or climb to install a tarp yourself.
- Call your insurer before permanent repairs, and ask whether they want an adjuster visit first.
- Be careful with door-to-door crews. The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives you until midnight of the third business day to cancel most sales of $25 or more made at your home. Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act prohibits deception and misrepresentation in consumer sales.
What we repair
| Damage | What we check | Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Fence down or leaning | Posts rotted at grade (a "blown over" fence often failed at the post), footings, rails | Reset posts in concrete, as city code requires; replace panels and pickets to match |
| Siding torn or loose | Nails pulled, damaged boards, wet sheathing behind | Replace boards in kind; check for water behind before closing |
| Gutters and downspouts | Hangers pulled, sections bent, water now dumping at the foundation | Rehang or replace sections; get water away from the house |
| Trim, fascia and soffit | Loose or split boards, openings for animals and water | Replace in kind and seal |
| Storm doors and windows | Bent frames, broken glass, damaged closers | Repair or replace to match |
| Porch and deck railings | Loose posts, cracked rails | Re-anchor and replace parts in kind |
Structural damage, roofs, trees on the house, and electrical or gas damage go to the right licensed trade. We'll tell you which and help coordinate.
River and flood context
The Missouri River at St. Joseph crested at 32.07 feet in both July 1993 and March 2019, the record, against a flood stage of 17 feet. The National Weather Service's impact notes say that at 24 feet "A residential area in northwest St. Joseph begins to flood," and at 31.5 feet "The levee system will likely be overtopped, causing flooding in the town of Elwood and the eastern edge of Wathena." The L-455 levee protects the St. Joseph side, and the R471-460 levee protects Rosecrans Airport, Elwood and Wathena.
Flood cleanup isn't handyman work: it needs drying, mold assessment and often licensed trades. We can help with the finish repairs afterward.
Help paying
The city's Emergency Assistance program serves qualifying owner-occupants within St. Joseph city limits. Its program sheet lists spontaneous roof damage, structural failure and other urgent conditions, excludes property in a flood zone, and distinguishes emergencies from pre-existing conditions. The city's published assistance amounts differ between documents; ask staff which grant or loan terms apply before arranging work. → Home repair grants and application steps
Historic districts after a storm
In Hall Street and Museum Hill, replacing damaged siding boards, gutters, glass or a porch post in kind is maintenance, with no certificate needed. Replacing a damaged feature with something different needs approval. → Historic district repairs
Storm damage at your house?
Send photos and a list, and we'll come look.
Get a storm repair quote →