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Ellis Kansas 5-7-2014Photo: Richard Bauer · CC BY 2.0
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Ellis · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Ellis faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellis gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.

River and rain flooding 73%Hail 8%Tornadoes 7%

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

more than 81%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade
Hazard risk
C−
in Kansas · higher than 81% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
73% of expected building damage
Flood claims
2
paid since 1993 · $3K
Flood insurance
10% off
Community discount (class 8)
By hazard

What Ellis 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

73%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Hail

8%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 9 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

7%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area

Strong wind

6%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 5 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Ice storms Wildfire Winter storms top 1% Earthquakes Lightning Cold waves Heat waves top 3% Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingHurricanesAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Ellis’ grade

River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellis, and Ellis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Ellis sits
Ellis
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).

All of Ellis’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding73%Hail8%Tornadoes7%Everything else11%

In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Ellis: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Shared tract.All of Ellis’ 1,958 residents (2020 census) live in one census tract, which it shares with Schoenchen city (170 residents). FEMA publishes its model by tract, so the rate and the hazard mix are the tract’s, the same for all of them. The flood claims below are the town’s own.
A shared figure. The grade describes the whole tract, not each street in it, and FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Ellis flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellis, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1993: 2 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims1993
19932026
Biggest named events
  • The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $3K
2
paid claims since 1993
$3K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$2K
average claim
of all homes are insured
Community discount10% off flood insurance

Ellis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: Ellis County.
Disasters

6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellis

Disasters that paid out in Ellis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ellis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2013Snowstorm$9K to the City of Ellis for repairs
  2. 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Ellis for repairs
  3. 2008Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$11K to the City of Ellis for repairs
  4. 2007Severe Winter Storms$2K to the City of Ellis for repairs
  5. 2006Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Ellis for repairs
  6. 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$1K to the City of Ellis for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in EllisEllis County only

Ellis 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Ellis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Ellis archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Ellis faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
  • Ellis residents get 10% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Ellis

Is Ellis at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellis has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hail (8%). 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 Ellis flood?

Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Ellis since 1993, $3K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).

Is Ellis 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 Ellis County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.

How much is flood insurance in Ellis?

Ellis 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 Ellis?

By FEMA money that reached Ellis, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes (2008): $11K to the City of Ellis for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $3K.

Is Ellis at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Ellis’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellis.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellis’ 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.