Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0Ellinwood’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellinwood gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2007.
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 Ellinwood 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
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 Ellinwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellinwood, and Ellinwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ellinwood’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Ellinwood: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellinwood flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellinwood, from FEMA’s records: 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ellinwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellinwood
Disasters that paid out in Ellinwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ellinwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$14K to the City of Ellinwood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm$48K to the City of Ellinwood for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$16K to the City of Ellinwood for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$8K to the City of Ellinwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$23K to the City of Ellinwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding91 households applied for aid$120K aid approved$29K to the City of Ellinwood for repairs
Barton County has had 24 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 Ellinwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellinwood archive →Ellinwood and its neighbors
Ellinwood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellinwood | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Lakin Township | — | 348 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 Ellinwood 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.
- 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 Ellinwood
Is Ellinwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellinwood has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (17%). 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 Ellinwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Ellinwood since 2007, $106K in all, or 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Ellinwood 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 Barton County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ellinwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellinwood’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 Ellinwood?
By FEMA money that reached Ellinwood, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 91 households applied for aid, $120K approved, and $29K to the City of Ellinwood for repairs.
Is Ellinwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Ellinwood’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellinwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellinwood’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.