Photo: PowercatPark · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Alma Township faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then wildfire (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2009.
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 Alma Township 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
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 Alma Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alma Township, and Alma Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alma Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Alma Township: $735K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alma Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alma Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alma Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wabaunsee County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alma Township
Disasters that paid out in Alma Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Alma Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$24K to Alma Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$49K to Alma Township for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$36K to Alma Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$15K to Alma Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$28K to Alma Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$8K to Alma Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$24K to Alma Township for repairs
Wabaunsee County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wabaunsee County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Alma Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alma Township archive →Alma Township and its neighbors
Alma Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alma Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Newbury Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wabaunsee Township | — | 340 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Washington Township | — | 142 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| McFarland | — | 363 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Zeandale Township | — | 172 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Farmer Township | — | 87 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Alma Township 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- 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 Alma Township
Is Alma Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma Township has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and wildfire (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alma Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Alma Township since 2009, $13K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alma Township 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 Wabaunsee County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alma Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alma Township’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 Alma Township?
By FEMA money that reached Alma Township, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $49K to Alma Township for repairs.
Is Alma Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Alma Township’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alma Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alma Township’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.