John R. Wright House · Photo: SharonPapierdreams · CC BY-SA 4.0McPherson’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McPherson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #44 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 McPherson 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 McPherson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in McPherson, and McPherson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #44 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McPherson’s residents live in 3 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, McPherson has less expected damage per building than 71% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across McPherson: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McPherson flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McPherson, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $1K
McPherson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: McPherson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McPherson
Disasters that paid out in McPherson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McPherson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$163K to the City of McPherson for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$38K to the City of McPherson for repairs
- 2013Snowstorm$11K to the City of McPherson for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$116K to the City of McPherson for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$7K to the City of McPherson for repairs
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 McPherson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McPherson archive →McPherson and its neighbors
McPherson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| McPherson | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| McPherson Township | — | 621 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| King City Township | — | 604 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jackson Township | — | 115 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 McPherson 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.
- McPherson residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in McPherson
Is McPherson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McPherson has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #44 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McPherson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in McPherson since 1979, $59K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is McPherson 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 McPherson?
McPherson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 McPherson?
By FEMA money that reached McPherson, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $163K to the City of McPherson for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $1K.
Is McPherson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and McPherson’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McPherson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McPherson’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.