Fredonia’s biggest natural hazard is inland flooding
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Fredonia comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is moderate for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1984. 6 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
What stands out about Fredonia’s weather risks
Read from FEMA’s records below. The page puts what stands out first.
Does Fredonia flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fredonia, from FEMA’s records.
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $6K
Fredonia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fredonia
Disasters that paid out in Fredonia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fredonia) and its biggest flood years.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$52K to the City of Fredonia for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$17K to the City of Fredonia for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$4K to the City of Fredonia for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes$11K to the City of Fredonia for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding232 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$5.7M to the City of Fredonia for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$473K to the City of Fredonia for repairs
Wilson County has had 15 natural disasters declared since 1953, most often severe storms and floods.
Old photos of Fredonia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fredonia archive →How exposed is Fredonia?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings here to be higher than in 51% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and tornadoes.
Calmer than 1,471 of the 1,995 Kansas towns we cover.
Fredonia covers 1 census tract, combined by population.
What Fredonia faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Cold waves
Heat waves
Get ready for what Fredonia actually faces
A short kit for its top hazards, 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
Most disasters here begin in April–June
The month each of Wilson County’s 15 declared disasters began, since 1953.
What these numbers can and can’t tell you
- An average, not a forecast. FEMA’s National Risk Index estimates the damage 18 kinds of natural hazards cause in a typical year, from decades of records and models. A quiet decade can follow a bad year.
- Compared by rate. “Higher than N%” compares yearly damage as a share of what’s there, so a big city isn’t rated riskier just for having more buildings.
- Money that reached town. Flood claims are matched to Fredonia’s own flood-insurance community; household aid to the registrant’s city; repair grants to the City of Fredonia.
- It follows property value. FEMA’s model weighs damage to buildings, so a place that recently lost many homes can rate lower than it feels. Across Fredonia, expected losses total about $1.7M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fredonia.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. An average of past damage, not a forecast.