Teichgraeber-Runbeck House · Photo: SharonPapierdreams · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lindsborg faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindsborg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #118 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2013.
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 Lindsborg 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
Strong wind
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 Lindsborg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lindsborg, and Lindsborg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #118 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lindsborg’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, Lindsborg has more expected damage per building than 78% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Lindsborg: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lindsborg flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lindsborg, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lindsborg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: McPherson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lindsborg
Disasters that paid out in Lindsborg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lindsborg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$6K to the City of Lindsborg for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$2K to the City of Lindsborg for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$33K to the City of Lindsborg for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
McPherson County has had 14 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 McPherson County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Lindsborg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lindsborg archive →Get ready for what Lindsborg 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Lindsborg residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lindsborg
Is Lindsborg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindsborg has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #118 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (12%). 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 Lindsborg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Lindsborg since 2013, $27K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lindsborg 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 McPherson County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lindsborg?
Lindsborg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lindsborg?
By FEMA money that reached Lindsborg, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $33K to the City of Lindsborg for repairs.
Is Lindsborg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Lindsborg’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lindsborg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lindsborg’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.