Porter Hotel · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Beloit than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beloit gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #117 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1982.
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 Beloit 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
Hail
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 Beloit’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beloit, and Beloit’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #117 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Beloit’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Kansas town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Beloit has more expected damage per building than 77% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Beloit: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beloit flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beloit, 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.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $5K
Beloit isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mitchell County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beloit
Disasters that paid out in Beloit itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beloit), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3K to the City of Beloit for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$28K to the City of Beloit for repairs
Mitchell County has had 10 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 Beloit after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beloit archive →Beloit and its neighbors
Beloit has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beloit | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Beloit Township | — | 128 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Plum Creek Township | — | 212 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 Beloit 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.
- 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.
- 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 Beloit
Is Beloit at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beloit has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #117 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hail (16%). 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 Beloit flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Beloit since 1982, $86K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Beloit 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 Mitchell County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Beloit?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beloit’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 Beloit?
By FEMA money that reached Beloit, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2004): $28K to the City of Beloit for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Beloit at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Beloit’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beloit.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beloit’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.