Inland river-flood country, where FEMA more often buys a house out than lifts it up.
Missouri alone has recorded 51,227 NFIP claims and $963.1M in payouts since 1978. Missouri, Iowa and Illinois have no statewide general-contractor license (licensing is city or county level; Iowa requires contractor registration with its Division of Labor), so BBB accreditation and IASM structural-mover membership are the trust anchors here rather than a state license number.
Where it floods, and why
St. Louis & Arnold (Meramec/Mississippi confluence)
The Great Flood of 1993 damaged more than 225 properties in Arnold alone, where the Meramec meets the Mississippi. FEMA approved $4.3M in Hazard Mitigation Grant funding for a voluntary buyout at a 67% federal share, and the payoff was measurable: of 3,146 properties bought out across 13 Mississippi River communities, 1,623 would have flooded again in 2008. In this valley, buyout and elevation compete as the mitigation answer, and a contractor here is often working alongside a community buyout program.
Cedar Rapids & Davenport (Iowa)
The 2008 Cedar River flood inundated central Cedar Rapids and drove one of the largest buyout and elevation programs in the Midwest. Davenport, which famously has no floodwall, floods from the Mississippi repeatedly.
Illinois river towns (Grafton, Alton, Quincy)
The Illinois and Mississippi confluence towns flood on a recurring cycle; several have relocated or elevated whole blocks. Elevation on piers and interior floodproofing are the common retrofits for the homes that stay.
26 verified providers serving Mississippi & Missouri River Valleys
Each cleared at least two independent sources. No paid placement.
How much does it cost to raise a house in St. Louis & Arnold?
Home elevation runs about $20,000 to $80,000 for a typical project nationally, and $150,000 or more for complex or coastal work. Local ground conditions, foundation type and required height drive the number, so treat this as a range to check against a local quote, not a price.
Who can lift a house in Mississippi & Missouri River Valleys?
We list 5 house-lifting or structural-moving firms serving Mississippi & Missouri River Valleys, each confirmed against at least two independent sources. We are not affiliated with any of them and nobody pays to be listed.
Will FEMA pay to elevate my house in Mississippi & Missouri River Valleys?
FEMA grants (FMA and HMGP) typically cover 75% of eligible cost, rising to 90% for repetitive-loss and up to 100% for severe-repetitive-loss properties. You apply through your community or state, not directly to FEMA, and funding is competitive rather than guaranteed.
Flood-risk figures are drawn from FEMA’s National Risk Index and NFIP datasets and reflect the most recent data we could source; verify current status at fema.gov before relying on a number for a financial or legal decision.