Photo: Abe Ezekowitz · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Galena’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #60 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Galena 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
Ice storms
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 Galena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galena, and Galena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #60 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Galena’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, Galena has less expected damage per building than 61% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Galena: $702K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galena flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galena, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Galena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galena
Disasters that paid out in Galena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Galena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$9K to the City of Galena for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$25K to the City of Galena for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$38K to the City of Galena for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Galena for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$11K to the City of Galena for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
Cherokee County has had 23 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 Galena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galena archive →Galena and its neighbors
Galena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galena | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Garden Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lowell Township | — | 629 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 Galena 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.
- 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.
- 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 Galena
Is Galena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #60 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Galena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Galena since 2007, $25K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Galena 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 Cherokee County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Galena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galena’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 Galena?
By FEMA money that reached Galena, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $38K to the City of Galena for repairs.
Is Galena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Galena’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galena’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.