Bonner Springs High School · Photo: SharonPapierdreams · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Bonner Springs faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonner Springs gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #101 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 54 claims here since 1979.
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 Bonner Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bonner Springs 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 Bonner Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bonner Springs, and Bonner Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #101 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bonner Springs’ residents live in 3 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, Bonner Springs has more expected damage per building than 67% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Bonner Springs: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bonner Springs flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bonner Springs, from FEMA’s records: 18.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $2K
Bonner Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Wyandotte County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bonner Springs
Disasters that paid out in Bonner Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bonner Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$86K to the City of Bonner Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Bonner Springs for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight Line Winds$4K to the City of Bonner Springs for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$15K to the City of Bonner Springs for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$62K to the City of Bonner Springs for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$21K to the City of Bonner Springs for repairs
Wyandotte 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.
Old photos of Bonner Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bonner Springs archive →Bonner Springs and its neighbors
Bonner Springs is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 278 |
| Shawnee | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Fairmount Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bonner Springs | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Edwardsville | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Bonner Springs 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.
- Bonner Springs residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bonner Springs
Is Bonner Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonner Springs has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #101 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bonner Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Bonner Springs since 1979, $623K in all, or 18.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Bonner Springs 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 Wyandotte County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bonner Springs?
Bonner Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Bonner Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Bonner Springs, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): $86K to the City of Bonner Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $2K.
Is Bonner Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Bonner Springs’ rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bonner Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bonner Springs’ 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.