Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0For tornadoes, Arkansas City’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arkansas City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #106 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1981.
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 stands out about Arkansas City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arkansas City 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 Arkansas City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arkansas City, and Arkansas City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #106 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arkansas City’s residents live in 6 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, Arkansas City has more expected damage per building than 70% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Arkansas City: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arkansas City flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arkansas City, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $2K
Arkansas City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cowley County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Arkansas City
Disasters that paid out in Arkansas City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arkansas City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding70 households applied for aid$100K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Cowley County has had 24 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 Arkansas City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arkansas City archive →Arkansas City and its neighbors
Arkansas City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Creswell Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Bolton Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Valley Township | — | 978 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Parkerfield | — | 527 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 Arkansas City 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.
- Arkansas City residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Arkansas City
Is Arkansas City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arkansas City has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #106 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arkansas City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Arkansas City since 1981, $606K in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Arkansas City 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 Cowley County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arkansas City?
Arkansas City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Arkansas City?
By FEMA money that reached Arkansas City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 70 households applied for aid, $100K approved. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Arkansas City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Arkansas City’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arkansas City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arkansas City’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.