More hazard damage per building is expected in Creswell Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Creswell Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1981.
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 Creswell 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
Wildfire
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 Creswell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Creswell Township, and Creswell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Creswell Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Creswell Township: $840K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Creswell Township flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Creswell Township, from FEMA’s records: 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Creswell 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: Cowley County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Creswell Township
Disasters that paid out in Creswell Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Creswell Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$16K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$75K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$29K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$59K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$15K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$11K to Creswell Township for repairs
Show all 12
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$2K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$5K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$39K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$18K to Creswell Township for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$20K to Creswell Township for repairs
Cowley County has had 24 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 Creswell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Creswell Township archive →Creswell Township and its neighbors
Creswell Township is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Creswell Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Bolton Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Valley Township | — | 978 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Silverdale Township | — | 322 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Parkerfield | — | 527 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Beaver Township | — | 205 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 Creswell 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.
- 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.
- 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 Creswell Township
Is Creswell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Creswell Township has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Creswell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Creswell Township since 1981, $206K in all, or 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Creswell 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 Cowley County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Creswell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Creswell 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 Creswell Township?
By FEMA money that reached Creswell Township, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $75K to Creswell Township for repairs.
Is Creswell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Creswell Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Creswell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Creswell 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.