Ellsworth Downtown Historic District · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0For ice storms, Ellsworth’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellsworth gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #97 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1990.
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 Ellsworth 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
Ice storms
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 Ellsworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellsworth, and Ellsworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #97 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ellsworth’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Kansas town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ellsworth has more expected damage per building than 64% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Ellsworth: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellsworth flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellsworth, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding4 claims · $50K
Ellsworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ellsworth County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ellsworth
Disasters that paid out in Ellsworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ellsworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$97K aid approved
Ellsworth County has had 14 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ellsworth County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Ellsworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellsworth archive →Get ready for what Ellsworth 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Ellsworth
Is Ellsworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellsworth has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #97 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (15%). 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 Ellsworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Ellsworth since 1990, $55K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ellsworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellsworth’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 Ellsworth?
By FEMA money that reached Ellsworth, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 41 households applied for aid, $97K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $50K.
Is Ellsworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Ellsworth’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellsworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellsworth’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.