Masonic Temple · Photo: User:Smuckola · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Salina’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salina gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #74 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 88 claims here since 1981.
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 Salina’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Salina 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
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 Salina’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salina, and Salina’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #74 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salina’s residents live in 13 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, Salina has less expected damage per building than 51% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.3M a year in losses across Salina: $11.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salina flood? Sometimes: 88 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salina, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding7 claims · $27K
Salina isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saline County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salina
Disasters that paid out in Salina itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salina), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds$318K to the City of Salina for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$43K to the City of Salina for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the City of Salina for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$888K to the City of Salina for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding538 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$263K to the City of Salina for repairs
Saline County has had 15 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 Salina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salina archive →Salina and its neighbors
Salina has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salina | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Greeley Township | — | 690 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Smoky Hill Township | — | 169 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Smolan Township | — | 605 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Elm Creek Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Walnut Township | — | 601 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cambria Township | — | 315 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Salina 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.
- 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 Salina
Is Salina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salina has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #74 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 88 claims in Salina since 1981, $3.3M in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (7).
Is Salina 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 Saline County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salina’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 Salina?
By FEMA money that reached Salina, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 538 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $263K to the City of Salina for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 7 paid, $27K.
Is Salina at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Salina’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salina’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.