Gallagher House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Big Creek Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Creek Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #82 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Big Creek 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Big Creek Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Creek Township, and Big Creek Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #82 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Big Creek Township’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, Big Creek Township has more expected damage per building than 54% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Big Creek Township: $884K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Big Creek Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Big Creek Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding6 claims · $14K
Big Creek 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: Ellis County.The storms Big Creek Township remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Ellis County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Big Creek Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19936 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Ellis County
Ellis County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Big Creek Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Big Creek Township archive →Big Creek Township and its neighbors
Big Creek Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hays | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Big Creek Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Herzog Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Buckeye Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Ogallah Township | — | 260 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Freedom Township | — | 510 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hampton-Fairview Township | — | 257 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 Big Creek 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.
- 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.
- 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 Big Creek Township
Is Big Creek Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Creek Township has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #82 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Big Creek Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Big Creek Township since 1993, $14K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (6).
Is Big Creek 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 Ellis County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Big Creek Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Creek 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 Big Creek Township?
By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 6 paid, $14K.
Is Big Creek Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Big Creek Township’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Creek Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Creek 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.