Rose Hill’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rose Hill gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #107 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then wildfire (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Rose Hill 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
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.
What’s behind Rose Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rose Hill, and Rose Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 21%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #107 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rose Hill’s residents live in 2 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, Rose Hill has more expected damage per building than 71% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Rose Hill: $964K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rose Hill flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rose Hill, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rose Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rose Hill
Disasters that paid out in Rose Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rose Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$2K to the City of Rose Hill for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$29K to the City of Rose Hill for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$949 to the City of Rose Hill for repairs
Butler County has had 25 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 Rose Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rose Hill archive →Rose Hill and its neighbors
Rose Hill has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Hill | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Richland Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Township | C−more damage than 84% | wildfire | 1 |
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 Rose Hill 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- 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 Rose Hill
Is Rose Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rose Hill has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #107 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and wildfire (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rose Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Rose Hill since 2008, $22K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rose Hill 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 Butler County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rose Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rose Hill’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 Rose Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Rose Hill, Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding (2005): $29K to the City of Rose Hill for repairs.
Is Rose Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Rose Hill’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rose Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rose Hill’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.