Photo: Gerald B. Keane · Public domainDodge City’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dodge City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #39 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1978.
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 Dodge City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dodge City 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 Dodge City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dodge City, and Dodge City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #39 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dodge City’s residents live in 7 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, Dodge City has less expected damage per building than 75% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Dodge City: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dodge City flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dodge City, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $245
Dodge City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ford County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dodge City
Disasters that paid out in Dodge City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dodge City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm$420K to the City of Dodge City for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$8K to the City of Dodge City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$271K to the City of Dodge City for repairs
Ford County has had 11 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ford County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Dodge City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dodge City archive →Dodge City and its neighbors
Dodge City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge City | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Dodge Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Richland Township | — | 414 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grandview Township | — | 269 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 Dodge City 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Dodge City
Is Dodge City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dodge City has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #39 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dodge City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Dodge City since 1978, $107K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Dodge City 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 Ford County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dodge City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dodge City’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 Dodge City?
By FEMA money that reached Dodge City, Severe Winter Storm (2017): $420K to the City of Dodge City for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $245.
Is Dodge City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Dodge City’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dodge City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dodge City’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.