Atchinson Santa Fe Freight Depot · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Atchison as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atchison gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #64 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Atchison 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 Atchison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atchison, and Atchison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #64 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Atchison’s residents live in 5 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, Atchison has less expected damage per building than 58% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Atchison: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atchison flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atchison, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $15K
Atchison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Atchison County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Atchison
Disasters that paid out in Atchison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Atchison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$28K to the City of Atchison for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$7K to the City of Atchison for repairs
- 2011Flooding$267K to the City of Atchison for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$129K to the City of Atchison for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the City of Atchison for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$10K to the City of Atchison for repairs
Atchison County has had 15 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 Atchison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atchison archive →Atchison and its neighbors
Atchison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shannon Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Atchison | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lancaster Township | — | 705 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Walnut Township | — | 198 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mount Pleasant Township | — | 979 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 Atchison 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 Atchison
Is Atchison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atchison has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #64 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Atchison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Atchison since 2011, $15K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Atchison 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 Atchison County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Atchison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atchison’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 Atchison?
By FEMA money that reached Atchison, Flooding (2011): $267K to the City of Atchison for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Atchison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Atchison’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atchison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atchison’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.