Edwin Smith House · Photo: Lefibreguy · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Wellington faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #121 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1980.
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 Wellington 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
Strong wind
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 Wellington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellington, and Wellington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #121 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wellington’s residents live in 4 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, Wellington has more expected damage per building than 80% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Wellington: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellington flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellington, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wellington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sumner County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wellington
Disasters that paid out in Wellington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wellington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$55K to the City of Wellington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$147K to the City of Wellington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$5K to the City of Wellington for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$15K to the City of Wellington for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$22K to the City of Wellington for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$29K to the City of Wellington for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$876K to the City of Wellington for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$93K to the City of Wellington for repairs
Sumner County has had 24 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 Wellington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellington archive →Wellington and its neighbors
Wellington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wellington Township | — | 148 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Osborne Township | — | 151 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Downs Township | — | 117 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Avon Township | — | 472 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 Wellington 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Wellington
Is Wellington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellington has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #121 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wellington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Wellington since 1980, $261K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wellington 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 Sumner County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wellington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wellington’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 Wellington?
By FEMA money that reached Wellington, Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding (2005): $876K to the City of Wellington for repairs.
Is Wellington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Wellington’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellington’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.