Photo: JonHarder · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hesston as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hesston gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #90 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
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 Hesston 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
Wildfire
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 Hesston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hesston, and Hesston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #90 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hesston’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, Hesston has more expected damage per building than 59% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Hesston: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hesston flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hesston, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $25K
Hesston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harvey County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hesston
Disasters that paid out in Hesston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hesston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$8K to the City of Hesston for repairs
- 2013Snowstorm$2K to the City of Hesston for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$34K to the City of Hesston for repairs
Harvey County has had 19 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Harvey County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of Hesston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hesston archive →Get ready for what Hesston 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Hesston
Is Hesston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hesston has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #90 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (14%). 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 Hesston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hesston since 1993, $29K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Hesston 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 Harvey County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hesston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hesston’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 Hesston?
By FEMA money that reached Hesston, Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding (2005): $34K to the City of Hesston for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $25K.
Is Hesston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Hesston’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hesston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hesston’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.