Photo: Kaethesson · CC BY-SA 3.0Oswego’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oswego gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1994.
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 Oswego 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
Ice storms
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 Oswego’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oswego, and Oswego’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Oswego’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Oswego: $659K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oswego flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oswego, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $35K
Oswego isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Labette County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oswego
Disasters that paid out in Oswego itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oswego), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$22K to the City of Oswego for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$46K to the City of Oswego for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$177K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$164K to the City of Oswego for repairs
Labette County has had 11 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 Oswego after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oswego archive →Get ready for what Oswego 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Oswego
Is Oswego at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oswego has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oswego flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Oswego since 1994, $41K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Oswego 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 Labette County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oswego?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oswego’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 Oswego?
By FEMA money that reached Oswego, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 20 households applied for aid, $177K approved. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $35K.
Is Oswego at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Oswego’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oswego.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oswego’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.