Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Sweet Springs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sweet Springs gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1990.
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 Sweet Springs 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 Sweet Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sweet Springs, and Sweet Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sweet Springs’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Sweet Springs: $542K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sweet Springs flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sweet Springs, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $11K
Sweet Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saline County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sweet Springs
Disasters that paid out in Sweet Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sweet Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding18 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$3K to the City of Sweet Springs for repairs
Saline County has had 21 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 Sweet Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sweet Springs archive →Get ready for what Sweet Springs 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 Sweet Springs
Is Sweet Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sweet Springs has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Sweet Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sweet Springs since 1990, $14K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Sweet Springs 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 Saline County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sweet Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sweet Springs’ 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 Sweet Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Sweet Springs, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2006): 18 households applied for aid, $8K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Sweet Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Sweet Springs’ rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sweet Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sweet Springs’ 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.