John Dickinson Dopf Mansion · Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Rock Port than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rock Port gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1982.
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 Rock Port 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 Rock Port’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rock Port, and Rock Port’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rock Port’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Rock Port: $910K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rock Port flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rock Port, from FEMA’s records: 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $56K
Rock Port isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Atchison County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rock Port
Disasters that paid out in Rock Port itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rock Port), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$52K to the City of Rock Port for repairs
- 2011Flooding89 households applied for aid$336K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the City of Rock Port for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$15K to the City of Rock Port for repairs
Atchison County has had 18 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 Rock Port after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rock Port archive →Get ready for what Rock Port 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 Rock Port
Is Rock Port at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rock Port has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (13%). 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.
Does Rock Port flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Rock Port since 1982, $98K in all, or 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (5).
Is Rock Port 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 Atchison County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rock Port?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rock Port’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 Rock Port?
By FEMA money that reached Rock Port, Flooding (2011): 89 households applied for aid, $336K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $56K.
Is Rock Port at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Rock Port’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rock Port.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rock Port’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.