Wall-Ratzlaff House · Photo: Klepto50 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Buhler than in 87% of U.S. towns, led by wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buhler gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (38%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Buhler faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Buhler’s grade
Wildfire is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buhler, and Buhler’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Buhler’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Buhler: $626K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buhler flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buhler, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Buhler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Reno County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buhler
Disasters that paid out in Buhler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Buhler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$13K to the City of Buhler for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$4K to the City of Buhler for repairs
Reno County has had 17 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Reno County, 2006–2022.
Old photos of Buhler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buhler archive →Get ready for what Buhler faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Buhler
Is Buhler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buhler has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (38%) and river and rain flooding (36%). 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 Buhler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Buhler since 2019, $4K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Buhler 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 Reno County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buhler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buhler’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 Buhler?
By FEMA money that reached Buhler, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 10 households applied for aid, $38K approved.
Is Buhler at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Buhler’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buhler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buhler’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.