Photo: Skrunyon · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pittsburg than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #133 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1985.
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 Pittsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pittsburg, and Pittsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #133 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pittsburg’s residents live in 9 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, Pittsburg has more expected damage per building than 88% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.7M a year in losses across Pittsburg: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pittsburg flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pittsburg, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $853
Pittsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pittsburg
Disasters that paid out in Pittsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pittsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$7K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$18K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$27K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$29K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$109K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$368K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$77K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Crawford County has had 20 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 Pittsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pittsburg archive →Pittsburg and its neighbors
Pittsburg is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Frontenac | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pittsburg | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Baker Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg
Is Pittsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsburg has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #133 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pittsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Pittsburg since 1985, $773K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Pittsburg 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 Crawford County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pittsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pittsburg’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 Pittsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Pittsburg, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $368K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $853.
Is Pittsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Pittsburg’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pittsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pittsburg’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.