Photo: SamuelNelsonGISP · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Tarkio than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tarkio gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Tarkio 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 Tarkio’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tarkio, and Tarkio’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tarkio’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Tarkio: $849K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tarkio flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tarkio, from FEMA’s records: 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $9K
Tarkio 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tarkio
Disasters that paid out in Tarkio itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tarkio), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$4K to the City of Tarkio for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$51K to the City of Tarkio for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$56K to the City of Tarkio 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 Tarkio after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tarkio archive →Get ready for what Tarkio 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 Tarkio
Is Tarkio at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tarkio has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (15%). 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 Tarkio flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Tarkio since 1982, $99K in all, or 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Tarkio 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 Tarkio?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tarkio’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 Tarkio?
By FEMA money that reached Tarkio, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 4 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $56K to the City of Tarkio for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Tarkio at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Tarkio’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tarkio.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tarkio’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.