On FEMA’s figures, Maize faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maize gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #46 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Maize 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
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 Maize’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maize, and Maize’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #46 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maize’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, Maize has less expected damage per building than 70% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Maize: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maize flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maize, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $17K
Maize isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sedgwick County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Maize
Disasters that paid out in Maize itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Maize), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$32K to the City of Maize for repairs
Sedgwick County has had 13 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.
Old photos of Maize after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maize archive →Maize and its neighbors
Maize is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Maize | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Park Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wichita | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 389 |
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 Maize 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.
- 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 Maize
Is Maize at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maize has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #46 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Maize flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Maize since 2008, $17K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Maize 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 Sedgwick County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maize?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maize’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 Maize?
By FEMA money that reached Maize, Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding (2005): $32K to the City of Maize for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Maize at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Maize’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maize.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maize’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.