Wakarusa Hotel · Photo: 25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Williamsport Township than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamsport Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #9 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2026.
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 Williamsport 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 Williamsport Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williamsport Township, and Williamsport Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #9 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williamsport 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, Williamsport Township has less expected damage per building than 95% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Williamsport Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williamsport Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2026
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williamsport Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Williamsport 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williamsport Township
Disasters that paid out in Williamsport Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Williamsport Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$27K to Williamsport Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$15K to Williamsport 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 Williamsport Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williamsport Township archive →Williamsport Township and its neighbors
Williamsport Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsport Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Monmouth Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Ridgeway Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Topeka | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Auburn Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Topeka Township | — | 865 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wakarusa | — | 209 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 Williamsport 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 Williamsport Township
Is Williamsport Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamsport Township has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #9 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williamsport Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Williamsport Township since 2026, $24K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Williamsport 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 Williamsport Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williamsport 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 Williamsport Township?
By FEMA money that reached Williamsport Township, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm (2009): $27K to Williamsport Township for repairs.
Is Williamsport Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Williamsport Township’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williamsport Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williamsport 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.