Photo: Paltron · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fort Scott than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Scott gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #141 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hail (22%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1985.
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 Fort Scott’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Scott 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Fort Scott’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Scott, and Fort Scott’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #141 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Scott’s residents live in 3 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, Fort Scott has more expected damage per building than 93% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Fort Scott: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Scott flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Scott, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $70K
Fort Scott isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bourbon County.22 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Scott
Disasters that paid out in Fort Scott itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Scott), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton$380K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$101K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$26.5M to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$20K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian$70K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$51K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
Show all 22
- 2017Hurricane Irma$29.7M to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$14K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$74K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$545K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$85K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$37K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$16K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$45.7M to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$5.5M to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$315K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances$3.6M to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$62K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$197K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$401K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$74K to the City of Fort Scott for repairs
Bourbon County has had 15 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 Fort Scott after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Scott archive →Get ready for what Fort Scott 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Fort Scott
Is Fort Scott at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Scott has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #141 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hail (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Scott flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Fort Scott since 1985, $2.1M in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Fort Scott 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 Bourbon County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Scott?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Scott’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 Fort Scott?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Scott, Hurricane Wilma (2005): $45.7M to the City of Fort Scott for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $70K.
Is Fort Scott at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Fort Scott’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Scott.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Scott’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.