Cheyenne County Courthouse · Photo: Smallbones · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in St. Francis than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Francis gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (22%). 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 stands out about St. Francis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. Francis 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
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 St. Francis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Francis, and St. Francis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of St. Francis’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across St. Francis: $777K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Francis flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in St. Francis. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
St. Francis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cheyenne County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Francis
Disasters that paid out in St. Francis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Francis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$8K to the City of St. Francis for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of St. Francis for repairs
Cheyenne County has had 9 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 St. Francis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Francis archive →Get ready for what St. Francis 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.
- 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 St. Francis
Is St. Francis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Francis has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (22%). 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 St. Francis 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 Cheyenne County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in St. Francis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Francis’ 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 St. Francis?
By FEMA money that reached St. Francis, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): $8K to the City of St. Francis for repairs.
Is St. Francis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and St. Francis’ rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Francis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Francis’ 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.