Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Liberty 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, Liberty gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 2010.
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 Liberty 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 Liberty’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Liberty, and Liberty’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Liberty’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $956K a year in losses across Liberty: $653K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Liberty flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Liberty, from FEMA’s records: 24.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $52K
Liberty isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Casey County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Liberty
Disasters that paid out in Liberty itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Liberty), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$398K to the City of Liberty for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes138 households applied for aid$323K aid approved$222K to the City of Liberty for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Casey County has had 28 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 Liberty after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Liberty archive →Get ready for what Liberty 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 Liberty
Is Liberty at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Liberty has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Liberty flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Liberty since 2010, $3.0M in all, or 24.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Liberty 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 Casey County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Liberty?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Liberty’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 Liberty?
By FEMA money that reached Liberty, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 138 households applied for aid, $323K approved, and $222K to the City of Liberty for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $52K.
Is Liberty at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Liberty’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Liberty.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Liberty’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.