More hazard damage per building is expected in Guthrie than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guthrie gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (18%). 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 Guthrie 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
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Guthrie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Guthrie, and Guthrie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Guthrie’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Guthrie: $846K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Guthrie flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Guthrie. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Guthrie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Todd County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Guthrie
Disasters that paid out in Guthrie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Guthrie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$26K to the City of Guthrie for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow$2K to the City of Guthrie for repairs
Todd County has had 15 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 Guthrie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Guthrie archive →Get ready for what Guthrie 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Guthrie
Is Guthrie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guthrie has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (18%). 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 Guthrie 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 Todd County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Guthrie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Guthrie’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 Guthrie?
By FEMA money that reached Guthrie, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): $26K to the City of Guthrie for repairs.
Is Guthrie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Guthrie’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Guthrie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Guthrie’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.