Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Chanute’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chanute gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #124 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 44 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 stands out about Chanute’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chanute 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
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 Chanute’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chanute, and Chanute’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #124 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chanute’s 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, Chanute has more expected damage per building than 82% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Chanute: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chanute flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chanute, from FEMA’s records: 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms18 claims · $464K
Chanute isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Neosho County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chanute
Disasters that paid out in Chanute itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chanute), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$182K to the City of Chanute for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$34K to the City of Chanute for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Chanute for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding95 households applied for aid$277K aid approved$171K to the City of Chanute for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$157K to the City of Chanute for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$1.2M to the City of Chanute for repairs
Neosho County has had 18 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 Chanute after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chanute archive →Chanute and its neighbors
Chanute 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chanute | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Tioga Township | — | 926 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Canville Township | — | 622 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 Chanute 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.
- 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 Chanute
Is Chanute at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chanute has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #124 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chanute flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Chanute since 1982, $666K in all, or 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (18).
Is Chanute 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 Neosho County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chanute?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chanute’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 Chanute?
By FEMA money that reached Chanute, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $1.2M to the City of Chanute for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 18 paid, $464K.
Is Chanute at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Chanute’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chanute.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chanute’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.