Photo: G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Chelsea’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chelsea 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 (81%), then ice storms (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Chelsea 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
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.
What’s behind Chelsea’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chelsea, and Chelsea’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Chelsea’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $904K a year in losses across Chelsea: $582K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chelsea flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chelsea, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chelsea isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rogers County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chelsea
Disasters that paid out in Chelsea itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chelsea), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$969 aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding45 households applied for aid$132K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$68K to the Town of Chelsea for repairs
Rogers County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Chelsea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chelsea archive →Get ready for what Chelsea 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.
- 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 Chelsea
Is Chelsea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chelsea 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 (81%) and ice storms (11%). 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 Chelsea flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Chelsea since 2019, $22K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chelsea 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 Rogers County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chelsea?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chelsea’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 Chelsea?
By FEMA money that reached Chelsea, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 45 households applied for aid, $132K approved.
Is Chelsea at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Chelsea’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chelsea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chelsea’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.