On FEMA’s figures, Valley Center 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, Valley Center Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #76 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2025.
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 Valley Center 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
Wildfire
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 Valley Center Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valley Center Township, and Valley Center Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #76 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Valley Center Township’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, Valley Center Township has more expected damage per building than 50% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Valley Center Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valley Center Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valley Center Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Valley Center 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: Sedgwick County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Valley Center Township
Disasters that paid out in Valley Center Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Valley Center Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$35K to Valley Center Township for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$15K to Valley Center Township for repairs
Sedgwick 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 Valley Center Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valley Center Township archive →Valley Center Township and its neighbors
Valley Center Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grant Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Valley Center Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Eagle Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sedgwick Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Valley Center 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Valley Center Township
Is Valley Center Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valley Center Township has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #76 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Valley Center Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Valley Center Township since 2025, $31K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Valley Center 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 Sedgwick County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Valley Center Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Valley Center 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 Valley Center Township?
By FEMA money that reached Valley Center Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $35K to Valley Center Township for repairs.
Is Valley Center Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Valley Center Township’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valley Center Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valley Center 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.