Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Kingman’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingman gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #139 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2016.
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 Kingman 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
Ice storms
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 Kingman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingman, and Kingman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #139 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Kingman’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, Kingman has more expected damage per building than 92% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Kingman: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingman flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kingman, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kingman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kingman County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kingman
Disasters that paid out in Kingman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kingman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$827K to the City of Kingman for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$10K to the City of Kingman for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$123K to the City of Kingman for repairs
- 2013Snowstorm$1K to the City of Kingman for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$5K to the City of Kingman for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$3K to the City of Kingman for repairs
Show all 7
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$243K to the City of Kingman for repairs
Kingman County has had 17 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 Kingman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingman archive →Kingman and its neighbors
Kingman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingman | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ninnescah Township | — | 195 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| White Township | — | 329 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 Kingman 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.
- 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.
- 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 Kingman
Is Kingman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingman has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #139 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and tornadoes (17%). 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 Kingman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Kingman since 2016, $987K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Kingman 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 Kingman County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kingman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingman’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 Kingman?
By FEMA money that reached Kingman, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $827K to the City of Kingman for repairs.
Is Kingman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Kingman’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingman’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.