Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Kersey’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kersey gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Kersey faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Kersey’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kersey, and Kersey’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kersey’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $788K a year in losses across Kersey: $382K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kersey flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kersey, from FEMA’s records: 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms6 claims · $359K
Kersey isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Weld County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Kersey
Disasters that paid out in Kersey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kersey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides42 households applied for aid$355K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Weld County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kersey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kersey archive →Kersey and its neighbors
Kersey is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeley | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Kersey | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Kersey faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kersey
Is Kersey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kersey has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kersey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Kersey since 1983, $368K in all, or 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (6).
Is Kersey in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Weld County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kersey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kersey’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kersey?
By FEMA money that reached Kersey, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 42 households applied for aid, $355K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 6 paid, $359K.
Is Kersey at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Kersey’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kersey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kersey’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.