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Corp of Eng. 6-16-11A 102Photo: US Army Corps of Engineers · Public domain
–Not graded
Natural hazards in Watson · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Watson

Watson isn’t graded for hazard risk: Watson has 51 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.

Flood claims
3
paid since 2011 · $120K
Disasters paid out here
4
of 18 declared for Atchison County
By hazard

What Watson 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

78%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 4 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hail Strong wind Wildfire Ice storms Earthquakes Winter storms Heat waves top 0% Lightning Cold waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingHurricanesAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts drought at 21% of Watson’s expected losses. Drought does little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Watson flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watson, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year
2011: 2 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 1 claim2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims20112019
20112026
Biggest named events
  • The Late spring storms2 claims · $60K
3
paid claims since 2011
$120K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$40K
average claim
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Watson 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.
Disasters

4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watson

Disasters that paid out in Watson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Watson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
  2. 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$26K to the Village of Watson for repairs
  3. 2011Flooding51 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$20K to the Village of Watson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$384 aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in WatsonAtchison County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Watson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Watson archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Watson faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Watson

Does Watson flood?

Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Watson since 2011, $120K in all. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).

Is Watson 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 Watson?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watson’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 Watson?

By FEMA money that reached Watson, Flooding (2011): 51 households applied for aid, $89K approved, and $20K to the Village of Watson for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $60K.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watson.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watson’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.