On FEMA’s figures, Soldier Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Soldier Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #67 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2007.
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 Soldier Township 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 Soldier Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Soldier Township, and Soldier Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #67 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Soldier Township’s residents live in 6 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, Soldier Township has less expected damage per building than 56% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Soldier Township: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Soldier Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Soldier Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Soldier Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shawnee County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Soldier Township
Disasters that paid out in Soldier Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Soldier Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$145K to Soldier Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$45K to Soldier Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$30K to Soldier Township for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to Soldier Township for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$17K to Soldier Township for repairs
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 Soldier Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Soldier Township archive →Soldier Township and its neighbors
Soldier Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tecumseh Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Soldier Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Menoken Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Topeka | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Kaw Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rock Creek Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Topeka Township | — | 865 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 Soldier Township 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Soldier Township
Is Soldier Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Soldier Township has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #67 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Soldier Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Soldier Township since 2007, $138K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Soldier Township 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 Soldier Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Soldier Township’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 Soldier Township?
By FEMA money that reached Soldier Township, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm (2009): $145K to Soldier Township for repairs.
Is Soldier Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Soldier Township’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Soldier Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Soldier Township’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.