Photo: The All Nite Images · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Chapman than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chapman gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 stands out about Chapman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chapman 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
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 Chapman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chapman, and Chapman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Chapman’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Chapman: $645K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chapman flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chapman, from FEMA’s records: 29.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding16 claims · $40K
Chapman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dickinson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chapman
Disasters that paid out in Chapman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chapman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$242K to the City of Chapman for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$240K to the City of Chapman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$11K to the City of Chapman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$76 aid approved
Dickinson County has had 13 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 Chapman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chapman archive →Get ready for what Chapman 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chapman residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Chapman
Is Chapman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chapman has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and wildfire (10%). 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 Chapman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Chapman since 1993, $43K in all, or 29.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (16).
Is Chapman 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 Dickinson County, 77% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chapman?
Chapman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Chapman?
By FEMA money that reached Chapman, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $242K to the City of Chapman for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 16 paid, $40K.
Is Chapman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Chapman’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chapman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chapman’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.