Photo: TwistedMan1328 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Tonganoxie than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tonganoxie gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #100 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1990.
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 Tonganoxie 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 Tonganoxie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tonganoxie, and Tonganoxie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #100 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tonganoxie’s residents live in 2 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, Tonganoxie has more expected damage per building than 66% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Tonganoxie: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tonganoxie flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tonganoxie, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $34K
Tonganoxie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Leavenworth County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tonganoxie
Disasters that paid out in Tonganoxie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tonganoxie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$6K to the City of Tonganoxie for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$17K to the City of Tonganoxie for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$687 aid approved$1K to the City of Tonganoxie for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$9K to the City of Tonganoxie for repairs
Leavenworth County has had 18 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 Tonganoxie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tonganoxie archive →Get ready for what Tonganoxie 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 Tonganoxie
Is Tonganoxie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tonganoxie has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #100 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tonganoxie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Tonganoxie since 1990, $69K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Tonganoxie 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 Leavenworth County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tonganoxie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tonganoxie’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 Tonganoxie?
By FEMA money that reached Tonganoxie, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $17K to the City of Tonganoxie for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $34K.
Is Tonganoxie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Tonganoxie’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tonganoxie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tonganoxie’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.