Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Garnett’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garnett gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #83 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (12%). 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 Garnett 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
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 Garnett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Garnett, and Garnett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #83 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Garnett’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, Garnett has more expected damage per building than 55% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Garnett: $984K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Garnett flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Garnett, 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.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $129K
Garnett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anderson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Garnett
Disasters that paid out in Garnett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Garnett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$919K to the City of Garnett for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$3.6M to the City of Garnett for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Garnett for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$24K to the City of Garnett for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding51 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$365K to the City of Garnett for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$6K to the City of Garnett for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$299K to the City of Garnett for repairs
Anderson County has had 15 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 Garnett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Garnett archive →Garnett and its neighbors
Garnett 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garnett | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Monroe Township | — | 159 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jackson Township | — | 405 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 Garnett 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.
- 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 Garnett
Is Garnett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garnett has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #83 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (12%). 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 Garnett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Garnett since 2007, $129K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Garnett 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 Anderson County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Garnett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Garnett’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 Garnett?
By FEMA money that reached Garnett, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $3.6M to the City of Garnett for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $129K.
Is Garnett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Garnett’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Garnett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Garnett’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.