Photo: Nst101 · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Guthrie Center’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guthrie Center gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1998.
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 Guthrie Center 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
Strong wind
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 Guthrie Center’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Guthrie Center, and Guthrie Center’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Guthrie Center’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Guthrie Center: $698K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Guthrie Center flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Guthrie Center, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Guthrie Center isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Guthrie County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Guthrie Center
Disasters that paid out in Guthrie Center itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Guthrie Center), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$65K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$72K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$45K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$4K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$40K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs
- 2007Snow$5K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$88 aid approved$36K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs
Guthrie County has had 14 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 Guthrie Center after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Guthrie Center archive →Get ready for what Guthrie Center 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Guthrie Center
Is Guthrie Center at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guthrie Center has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (25%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Guthrie Center flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Guthrie Center since 1998, $39K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Guthrie Center 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 Guthrie County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Guthrie Center?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Guthrie Center’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 Guthrie Center?
By FEMA money that reached Guthrie Center, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $72K to the City of Guthrie Center for repairs.
Is Guthrie Center at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Guthrie Center’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Guthrie Center.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Guthrie Center’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.