Photo: mamcginnis · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Pawnee Rock
Pawnee Rock isn’t graded for hazard risk: Pawnee Rock has 258 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1989.
What Pawnee Rock 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
Strong wind
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.
Does Pawnee Rock flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pawnee Rock, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
Pawnee Rock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pawnee Rock
Disasters that paid out in Pawnee Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pawnee Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm$8K to the City of Pawnee Rock for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$8K to the City of Pawnee Rock for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Barton County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pawnee Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pawnee Rock archive →Get ready for what Pawnee Rock 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Pawnee Rock
Does Pawnee Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Pawnee Rock since 1989, $21K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Pawnee Rock 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 Barton County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pawnee Rock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pawnee Rock’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 Pawnee Rock?
By FEMA money that reached Pawnee Rock, Severe Winter Storm (2017): $8K to the City of Pawnee Rock for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pawnee Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pawnee Rock’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.