Butler County Courthouse · Photo: MadameGraffigny · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in El Dorado than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Dorado gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #129 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 127 claims here since 1979.
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 El Dorado’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What El Dorado 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 El Dorado’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Dorado, and El Dorado’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #129 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Dorado’s residents live in 4 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, El Dorado has more expected damage per building than 85% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across El Dorado: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does El Dorado flood? Yes: 127 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Dorado, from FEMA’s records: 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
El Dorado isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Dorado
Disasters that paid out in El Dorado itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Dorado), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$42K to the City of El Dorado for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$35K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$22K to the City of El Dorado for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$142K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$43K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$31K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$20K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$61K to the City of El Dorado for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$11K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
Butler County has had 25 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 El Dorado after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Dorado archive →El Dorado and its neighbors
El Dorado has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Prospect Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| El Dorado Township | — | 272 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 El Dorado 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 El Dorado
Is El Dorado at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Dorado has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #129 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Dorado flood?
Flood insurance has paid 127 claims in El Dorado since 1979, $2.5M in all, or 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is El Dorado 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 Butler County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in El Dorado?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for El Dorado’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 El Dorado?
By FEMA money that reached El Dorado, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2009): $142K to the City of El Dorado for repairs.
Is El Dorado at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and El Dorado’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Dorado.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Dorado’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.