Franklin R. Lanter House · Photo: Rmprit · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Olathe than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olathe gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #26 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1983.
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 Olathe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Olathe 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 Olathe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Olathe, and Olathe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #26 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Olathe’s residents live in 35 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, Olathe has less expected damage per building than 83% of Kansas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Olathe has lower expected damage per building than 77% (#93 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $57.9M, is the 213th largest of those 400.
Does Olathe flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Olathe, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding4 claims · $18K
Olathe is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Olathe
Disasters that paid out in Olathe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Olathe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$7K to the City of Olathe for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$906K to the City of Olathe 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 Olathe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olathe archive →Olathe and its neighbors
Olathe is 6th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenexa | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Spring Hill Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gardner Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Overland Park | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 248 |
| Gardner | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Olathe | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Lexington Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Aubry Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oxford Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| De Soto | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Olathe 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.
- Olathe 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 Olathe
Is Olathe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olathe has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #26 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 Olathe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Olathe since 1983, $871K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Olathe 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 Olathe?
Olathe 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 Olathe?
By FEMA money that reached Olathe, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $906K to the City of Olathe for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $18K.
Is Olathe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Olathe’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olathe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olathe’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.