Photo: Kevin Zollman Kzollman 22:00, 4 May 2006 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Manhattan as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #81 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 225 claims here since 1984.
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 stands out about Manhattan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manhattan 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
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 Manhattan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manhattan, and Manhattan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #81 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manhattan’s residents live in 14 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, Manhattan has more expected damage per building than 53% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.2M a year in losses across Manhattan: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manhattan flood? Yes: 225 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manhattan, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding97 claims · $1.1M
- The Late spring storms37 claims · $1.9M
Manhattan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Riley County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manhattan
Disasters that paid out in Manhattan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manhattan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$612K to the City of Manhattan for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.4M to the City of Manhattan for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$117K to the City of Manhattan for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$100K to the City of Manhattan for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$2K to the City of Manhattan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$232K to the City of Manhattan for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$312K to the City of Manhattan for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding79 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$106K to the City of Manhattan for repairs
Riley 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.
Old photos of Manhattan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manhattan archive →Manhattan and its neighbors
Manhattan is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Manhattan Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ogden | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Ogden Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Manhattan | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Blue Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wildcat Township | — | 771 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 Manhattan 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.
- 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.
- Manhattan residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Manhattan
Is Manhattan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #81 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manhattan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 225 claims in Manhattan since 1984, $8.1M in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (97).
Is Manhattan 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 Riley County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manhattan?
Manhattan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Manhattan?
By FEMA money that reached Manhattan, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2018): $1.4M to the City of Manhattan for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 97 paid, $1.1M.
Is Manhattan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Manhattan’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manhattan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manhattan’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.