On FEMA’s figures, Concordia 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, Concordia gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (12%). 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 Concordia 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 Concordia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Concordia, and Concordia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Concordia’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Concordia: $791K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Concordia flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Concordia. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Concordia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafayette County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Concordia
Disasters that paid out in Concordia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Concordia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the City of Concordia for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$11K to the City of Concordia for repairs
Lafayette County has had 20 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 Concordia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Concordia archive →Get ready for what Concordia 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 Concordia
Is Concordia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Concordia has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Concordia 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 Lafayette County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Concordia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Concordia’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 Concordia?
By FEMA money that reached Concordia, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $11K to the City of Concordia for repairs.
Is Concordia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Concordia’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Concordia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Concordia’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.