Water damage restoration · University City, Missouri
Water damage restoration in University City, MO
Burst pipe, failed water heater, or storm water? University City-area ZIPs: 1,257 flood claims since 1978[1]; 85% of homes built before 1980[2]. Request help from local restoration crews. University City, in St. Louis County — ZIPs 63130, 63132, counts 34,657 residents (2025 estimate)[3].
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University City water damage snapshot: the key figures
- Population (2025 est.)
- 34,657[3]-1.6% since 2020
- County
- St. Louis[3]
- Land area
- 5.9 sq mi[4]
- Flood-insurance (NFIP) claims, local ZIPs
- 1,257 since 1978[1]$18,685,480 paid across 987 claims · ZIP 63130, 63132
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 27[5]2016–2025 · latest Aug 12, 2025
- Winter-storm & freeze days, st. louis zone
- 12[5]2016–2025; hard freezes burst pipes
- Federal disaster declarations incl. flooding, St. Louis Co.
- 14[6]of 23 total declarations
- Homes built before 1980
- 85%[2]the 2nd-highest share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover
- Households renting
- 44%[2]2020–2024
Reading the University City data for water damage
University City counts 34,657 residents (2025 estimate), growing at a middle-of-the-pack -1.6% since 2020[3]. On the map that's 5.9 square miles holding 5,893 residents per square mile, the 1st densest of the suburbs here; it sits entirely in St. Louis County, with ZIP codes 63130, 63132[4].
University City mixes 4% of homes built since 2010 and 85% before 1980[2]: new supply lines and water heaters in one house, aging pipe and original valves in the next — so where a leak starts depends a lot on the address.
2 ZIP codes cover University City — 63130 (78% of the city's land), 63132 (17% of the city's land)[7].
The closest tracked neighbours are Webster Groves (5.6 mi S), Kirkwood (7.7 mi SW) and Maryland Heights (8.3 mi NW)[4].
1,257 flood-insurance claims have come from University City-area ZIP codes (63130, 63132) since 1978, and $18,685,480 has been paid on them (about $18,932 per paid claim)[1]. 2022 was the worst year, with 200 claims. That is the 2nd-most of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover; for comparison, Webster Groves (111), Kirkwood (285), and Maryland Heights (161). Outside water is a real part of the picture here. Of the 1,216 claims rated in a flood zone, 1,019 were in FEMA's high-risk areas (zones A or V) and 197 outside them (zones B, C or X)[1][8] — flooding here is not only a high-risk-zone problem.
By month of loss, University City-area flood claims cluster in July (366), August (178), and September (267) — 811 of 1,257 dated claims[1].
Within 10 miles of central University City, weather observers filed 27 flood, flash-flood or heavy-rain reports in 2016–2025 (23 flash floods)[5]. Countywide: 14 flood declarations since 2000, latest Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4877, 2025)[6]. Nearby: Webster Groves (21), Kirkwood (20), and Maryland Heights (14).
85% of University City's 17,841 housing units predate 1980[2] — the 2nd-highest share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover (Webster Groves (80%), Kirkwood (70%), and Maryland Heights (61%)). Aging supply lines and valves are the usual hidden-leak suspects in houses that old.
44% of University City households rent[2]: tenants should report leaks to the landlord in writing, with photos.
Among the 15 suburbs tracked here, University City stands out for the most flood reports nearby (27)[5], the oldest housing (by median year built) (1949)[2], the highest renter share (44%)[2], and the 2nd-most NFIP flood claims (1,257)[1].
How a leak spreads inside a wall
Give a leak time and it travels — outward across the floor, upward into drywall by capillary action.
University City storm calendar
Within 10 miles of University City, 2016–2025: 23 flash-flood reports, 1 flood report, and 3 heavy-rain reports[5]. Peak: 67% in May, August, and November. Busiest year 2024 (6); 1 of 10 years had none. Busiest month November 2024 (5). Latest: flash-flood report, Aug 12, 2025, 7.4 mi out.
| Month | Flash flood | Flood | Heavy rain | All |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 3 | – | – | 3 |
| May | 4 | – | – | 4 |
| Jun | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| Jul | 4 | – | – | 4 |
| Aug | 9 | – | – | 9 |
| Sep | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| Nov | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Finding water damage help around University City
Requests go to Water damage restoration contractors serving the University City area — ZIP codes 63130, 63132.
Before you pick up the phone: what a restoration crew does first
Shared walls and ceilings: University City homes by building type
39%[2] of University City's homes share walls, floors or ceilings with a neighbour (multi-unit buildings alone: 36%, the 2nd-highest multi-unit share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover). Water crosses those lines: in an attached or stacked unit, tell the neighbour and the association or landlord right away, and check whose policy covers which part of the damage.
After detached houses, the biggest group is 3–4 units: 2,054 of 17,841 housing units[2].
| Building type | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached house | 10,843 | 60.8% | ±552 |
| Attached house (townhouse, rowhouse) | 482 | 2.7% | ±189 |
| Duplex (2 units) | 1,066 | 6.0% | ±281 |
| 3–4 units | 2,054 | 11.5% | ±453 |
| 5–9 units | 1,339 | 7.5% | ±259 |
| 10–19 units | 402 | 2.3% | ±164 |
| 20–49 units | 533 | 3.0% | ±267 |
| 50 or more units | 1,089 | 6.1% | ±249 |
| Mobile home | 33 | 0.2% | ±53 |
Margins of error are the Census Bureau’s 90% intervals; small categories in small cities are rough.
The University City numbers behind this page
| Measure | University City | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFIP flood claims (area ZIPs) | 1,257 | 347 | 910 more |
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 27 | 14 | 13 more |
| Renter-occupied | 44% | 23% | 21 pts higher |
| Built before 1980 | 85% | 54% | 31 pts higher |
| Owner-occupied | 56% | 77% | 21 pts lower |
| Median home value | $306,700 | $326,200 | 6% lower |
| Median year built | 1949 | 1977 | 28 years older |
Biggest gaps first. Medians are middle values across the St. Louis–area suburbs we cover, drawn from the same sources.
| City | NFIP claims | Flood reports ≤10 mi | Built before 1980 | Renting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University City | 1,257 | 27 | 85% | 44% |
| Webster Groves 5.6 mi | 111 | 21 | 80% | 24% |
| Kirkwood 7.7 mi | 285 | 20 | 70% | 23% |
| Maryland Heights 8.3 mi | 161 | 14 | 61% | 43% |
| Florissant 9.3 mi | 527 | 16 | 90% | 33% |
| Hazelwood 9.6 mi | 807 | 13 | 66% | 41% |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year | Outside high-risk zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63130 | 1,112 | $17,915,312 | 2008 (188) | 125 of 1,075 |
| 63132 | 145 | $770,168 | 1982 (22) | 72 of 141 |
ZIPs extend past city limits. Outside high-risk zones: claims rated in zone B, C or X, of the claims that carry a zone.
| Year | Claims |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2022 | 200 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| Month | Claims |
|---|---|
| January | 7 |
| February | 4 |
| March | 19 |
| April | 140 |
| May | 98 |
| June | 113 |
| July | 366 |
| August | 178 |
| September | 267 |
| October | 41 |
| November | 6 |
| December | 18 |
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2025 | Flash Flood | 7.4 mi |
| Aug 10, 2025 | Flash Flood | 7.8 mi |
| May 19, 2025 | Flash Flood | 2.9 mi |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Flash Flood | 6.8 mi |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Flash Flood | 10.0 mi |
| Nov 5, 2024 | Flash Flood | 6.7 mi |
| Nov 5, 2024 | Heavy Rain | 5.5 mi |
| Nov 4, 2024 | Heavy Rain | 6.1 mi |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of University City's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 63130 | 78% | 91% |
| 63132 | 17% | 19% |
Common University City water damage questions
Do I need flood insurance in University City?
Homeowners policies exclude outside floodwater[9], and University City-area ZIPs have 238 NFIP claims in just the last ten years[1].
Which University City ZIP codes do these crews cover?
63130 and 63132[7], in St. Louis County. Nearby pages: Webster Groves (5.6 mi), Kirkwood (7.7 mi), and Maryland Heights (8.3 mi)[4].
Which University City ZIP code has the most flood claims?
63130, with 1,112 NFIP claims and $17,915,312 paid[1].
When was the last flood report near University City?
Aug 12, 2025: a flash flood report 7.4 miles from the city center[5].
A lot of University City homes predate 1980 — what does that mean for plumbing fixtures and water heater work?
85% of University City's housing units were built before 1980, 72.0% before 1960[2] — the 2nd-highest share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover. Older supply lines and original shut-off valves are common failure points — know where your main shut-off is before you need it.
I rent in University City. Who arranges the repair?
44% of occupied University City homes are rented[2], the highest share of the 15 St. Louis–area suburbs we cover. Tell your landlord or property manager in writing first; your lease says who arranges repairs.
Sources
- OpenFEMA NFIP claims
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (keyless bulk)
- Census population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025
- NOAA Storm Events Database
- OpenFEMA disaster declarations
- Census 2020 ZCTA–place file
- FEMA, Flood Zones (link unverified)
- FEMA FloodSmart (link unverified)
Data pulled Sep 28, 2026. Full citations and method.