Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Abilene’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abilene gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #56 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1993.
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 Abilene 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
Ice storms
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 Abilene’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Abilene, and Abilene’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #56 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Abilene’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kansas town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Abilene has less expected damage per building than 63% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Abilene: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Abilene flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Abilene, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding8 claims · $9K
Abilene isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dickinson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Abilene
Disasters that paid out in Abilene itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Abilene), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$4K to the City of Abilene for repairs
- 2013Snowstorm$16K to the City of Abilene for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$101K to the City of Abilene for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
Dickinson County has had 13 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 Abilene after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Abilene archive →Abilene and its neighbors
Abilene has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lincoln Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grant Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Abilene 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Abilene
Is Abilene at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abilene has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #56 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Abilene flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Abilene since 1993, $9K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (8).
Is Abilene 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 Dickinson County, 77% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Abilene?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Abilene’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 Abilene?
By FEMA money that reached Abilene, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $101K to the City of Abilene for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 8 paid, $9K.
Is Abilene at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Abilene’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Abilene.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Abilene’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.