Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hutchinson than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hutchinson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #142 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1979.
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 Hutchinson 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
Wildfire
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 Hutchinson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hutchinson, and Hutchinson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #142 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hutchinson’s residents live in 12 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, Hutchinson has more expected damage per building than 94% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.7M a year in losses across Hutchinson: $14.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hutchinson flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hutchinson, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hutchinson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Reno County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hutchinson
Disasters that paid out in Hutchinson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hutchinson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$176K to the City of Hutchinson for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$467K to the City of Hutchinson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$53K to the City of Hutchinson for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$103K to the City of Hutchinson for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$43K to the City of Hutchinson for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1.3M to the City of Hutchinson for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding302 households applied for aid$543K aid approved$52K to the City of Hutchinson for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$55K to the City of Hutchinson for repairs
Reno County has had 17 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Reno County, 2006–2022.
Old photos of Hutchinson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hutchinson archive →Hutchinson and its neighbors
Hutchinson is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hutchinson | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Clay Township | Dmore damage than 86% | wildfire | 3 |
| Lincoln Township | — | 491 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Yoder Township | — | 385 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 Hutchinson 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hutchinson
Is Hutchinson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hutchinson has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #142 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hutchinson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Hutchinson since 1979, $148K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hutchinson 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 Reno County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hutchinson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hutchinson’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 Hutchinson?
By FEMA money that reached Hutchinson, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $1.3M to the City of Hutchinson for repairs.
Is Hutchinson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Hutchinson’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hutchinson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hutchinson’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.