Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Scott City’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #31 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hail (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Scott City 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
Hail
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 Scott City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scott City, and Scott City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #31 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Scott City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Kansas town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Scott City has less expected damage per building than 80% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Scott City: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scott City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Scott City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Scott City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scott County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scott City
Disasters that paid out in Scott City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Scott City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$26K to the City of Scott City for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$9K to the City of Scott City for repairs
Scott County has had 7 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 Scott City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scott City archive →Get ready for what Scott City 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.
- 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.
- 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 Scott City
Is Scott City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott City has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #31 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hail (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Scott City 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 Scott County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Scott City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scott City’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 Scott City?
By FEMA money that reached Scott City, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): $26K to the City of Scott City for repairs.
Is Scott City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Scott City’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scott City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scott City’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.