Photo: {{{1}}} · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Cathay
Cathay isn’t graded for hazard risk: Cathay has 17 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Cathay 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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.
Does Cathay flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cathay. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cathay
Disasters that paid out in Cathay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cathay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding$1K to the City of Cathay for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$38K to the City of Cathay for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$2K to the City of Cathay for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$22K to the City of Cathay for repairs
Wells County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Cathay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cathay archive →Get ready for what Cathay 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Cathay
Is Cathay 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.
How much is flood insurance in Cathay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cathay’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 Cathay?
By FEMA money that reached Cathay, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 4 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $38K to the City of Cathay for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cathay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cathay’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.