Loomis Historic District · Photo: Dlong417 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Merriam than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merriam gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #1 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 80 claims here since 1981.
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 Merriam’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Merriam 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 Merriam’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Merriam, and Merriam’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A #1 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Merriam’s residents live in 6 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, Merriam has less expected damage per building than 100% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Merriam: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Merriam flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Merriam, from FEMA’s records: 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding9 claims · $336K
Merriam is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Merriam
Disasters that paid out in Merriam itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Merriam), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$34K to the City of Merriam for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$44K to the City of Merriam for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$245K to the City of Merriam for repairs
Johnson County has had 9 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 Merriam after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Merriam archive →Merriam and its neighbors
Merriam has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merriam | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Shawnee | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Overland Park | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 248 |
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 Merriam 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.
- Merriam 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 Merriam
Is Merriam at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merriam has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #1 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Merriam flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in Merriam since 1981, $1.6M in all, or 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (9).
Is Merriam 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 Johnson County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Merriam?
Merriam 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 Merriam?
By FEMA money that reached Merriam, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $245K to the City of Merriam for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 9 paid, $336K.
Is Merriam at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Merriam’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Merriam.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Merriam’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.