Mary Seaman Ennis House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Goodland’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goodland gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #57 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hail (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Goodland 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
Strong wind
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 Goodland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goodland, and Goodland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #57 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goodland’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, Goodland has less expected damage per building than 63% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Goodland: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goodland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Goodland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Goodland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sherman County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Goodland
Disasters that paid out in Goodland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Goodland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$22K to the City of Goodland for repairs
Sherman County has had 7 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 Goodland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goodland archive →Goodland and its neighbors
Goodland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodland | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Voltaire Township | — | 278 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Itasca Township | — | 549 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Logan Township | — | 284 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 Goodland 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Goodland
Is Goodland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goodland has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #57 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hail (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Goodland 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 Sherman County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Goodland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goodland’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 Goodland?
By FEMA money that reached Goodland, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $22K to the City of Goodland for repairs.
Is Goodland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Goodland’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goodland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goodland’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.