Overland Theater · Photo: Dlong417 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Overland Park’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Overland Park gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #20 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 248 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 stands out about Overland Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Overland Park 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 Overland Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Overland Park, and Overland Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #20 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Overland Park’s residents live in 55 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, Overland Park has less expected damage per building than 87% of Kansas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Overland Park has lower expected damage per building than 81% (#78 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $82.9M, is the 147th largest of those 400.
Does Overland Park flood? Yes: 248 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Overland Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding6 claims · $58K
Overland Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Overland Park
Disasters that paid out in Overland Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Overland Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$633K to the City of Overland Park for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$508K to the City of Overland Park for repairs47 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$3.0M to the City of Overland Park 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 Overland Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Overland Park archive →Overland Park and its neighbors
Overland Park is 6th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merriam | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Mission | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Lenexa | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Leawood | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Prairie Village | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Overland Park | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 248 |
| Olathe | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Aubry Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oxford Township | B−more damage than 52% | 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 Overland Park 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.
- Overland Park residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Overland Park
Is Overland Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Overland Park has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #20 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Overland Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 248 claims in Overland Park since 1979, $3.1M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (6).
Is Overland Park 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 Overland Park?
Overland Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Overland Park?
By FEMA money that reached Overland Park, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $3.0M to the City of Overland Park for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 6 paid, $58K.
Is Overland Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Overland Park’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Overland Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Overland Park’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.