FEMA puts Goddard’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goddard gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #27 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2003.
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 Goddard 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
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 Goddard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goddard, and Goddard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #27 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goddard’s residents live in 2 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, Goddard has less expected damage per building than 83% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Goddard: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goddard flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Goddard, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Goddard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sedgwick County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Goddard
Disasters that paid out in Goddard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Goddard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$58K to the City of Goddard for repairs
Sedgwick County has had 13 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 Goddard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goddard archive →Goddard and its neighbors
Goddard has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goddard | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Attica Township | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wichita | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 389 |
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 Goddard 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.
- 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 Goddard
Is Goddard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goddard has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #27 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Goddard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Goddard since 2003, $57K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Goddard 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 Sedgwick County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Goddard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goddard’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 Goddard?
By FEMA money that reached Goddard, Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding (2005): $58K to the City of Goddard for repairs.
Is Goddard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Goddard’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goddard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goddard’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.