Photo: Kswx29 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Silver Lake as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silver Lake gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.
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 Silver Lake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Silver Lake 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
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 Silver Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Silver Lake, and Silver Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Silver Lake’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $673K a year in losses across Silver Lake: $432K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Silver Lake flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Silver Lake, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $15K
Silver Lake is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Shawnee County.The storms Silver Lake remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Shawnee County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Silver Lake itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19932 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Shawnee County
Shawnee County has had 13 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 Silver Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Silver Lake archive →Get ready for what Silver Lake 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.
- 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.
- Silver Lake residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Silver Lake
Is Silver Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silver Lake has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (11%). 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.
Does Silver Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Silver Lake since 1993, $15K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Silver Lake 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 Shawnee County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Silver Lake?
Silver Lake is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Silver Lake?
By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $15K.
Is Silver Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Silver Lake’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Silver Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Silver Lake’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.