Photo: TulGuy · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Salina than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salina gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then ice storms (13%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1985.
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 Salina 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 Salina’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salina, and Salina’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Salina’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $734K a year in losses across Salina: $375K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salina flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salina, from FEMA’s records: 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $15K
Salina isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mayes County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salina
Disasters that paid out in Salina itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Salina), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$241K aid approved$53K to the Town of Salina for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1K to the Town of Salina for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the Town of Salina for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Salina for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$38K to the Town of Salina for repairs
Mayes County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Mayes County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Salina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salina archive →Salina and its neighbors
Salina has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salina | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wickliffe | — | 745 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Salina 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 Salina
Is Salina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salina has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and ice storms (13%). 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 Salina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Salina since 1985, $135K in all, or 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Salina 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 Mayes County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salina’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 Salina?
By FEMA money that reached Salina, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 65 households applied for aid, $241K approved, and $53K to the Town of Salina for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Salina at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Salina’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salina’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.