How to Prepare

  1. Sign up for Riley County Emergency Alerts or Pottawatomie County Emergency Alerts.
  2. Listen to weather updates on a NOAA weather radio, local news station, or App.
  3. Make a Go Kit and be ready to evacuate on short notice if needed.
  4. Make a plan for where you will stay if your neighborhood is evacuated. Shelters will be available, but staying at the home of a friend or relative might be a more comfortable option for your family. 
  5. It may not be too late to get flood insurance. Policies typically take 30 days to become active. Regular insurance for homeowners and renters usually does not cover flood damage. For more information, contact your insurance agent.
  6. If you are notified to evacuate, take immediate action even if you do not see the water yet. Follow the directions of law enforcement and emergency personnel.

Be Red Cross Ready

Access the Flood Safety Checklist (PDF).

If You Have Pets

View the Pet Evacuation Checklist provided by the Kansas State Animal Response Team (K.S.A.R.T) K.S.A.R.T is currently assisting at the Westview Community Church shelter location at:

615 Gillespie Drive
Manhattan, KS 66502

How to Pack a Go Kit

The Five P’s equal the most important items to take with you:

  • Papers: Bring copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (photo IDs, insurance cards, proof of address, copies of prescriptions, etc.).
  • Pets: Don’t leave home without them! Riley County will have shelters set up for animals as needed for families who have no alternative animal care. Remember to bring leashes, carrying cases, food, pet tags, and anything else your pet will need.
  • Prescriptions: Medications and other essential personal items; keep a list of the medications taken by each member of your family, why they take them, and the dosages.
  • Pictures: Take the important pictures that cannot be replaced if ruined by flood water.
  • Phone/Personal Computer: Remember to pack your phone and charger, plus any personal computer devices, hard drives, or flash drives that carry important information.

Go Kit Checklist

  • Picture ID
  • Prescription medications
  • Cell phones and chargers
  • Clothing and shoes
  • Diapers, formula, baby food, and children's toys if needed
  • Important documents in a waterproof container
  • Pets, pet food, and leashes or carriers
  • Pictures, important family keepsakes
  • Proof of address

Flood Insurance 101

Access the Flood Insurance 101 printout (PDF).

What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is offered to property owners through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flood insurance is used to cover damages caused by flooding for residential and non-residential buildings and property.

For properties located in high risk areas identified on FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map as Zone A or simply A, building coverage and personal property coverage are separate insurance policies. Both insurance policies are available through the NFIP but will need to be purchased individually. For properties located in moderate to low risk areas, identified as Zone B, C, or X; a Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) is available through the NFIP and can provide coverage for both the building and its contents in one policy. 

Typically, flood insurance policies are not value policies. This means that the policy will not pay the amount of coverage your policy offers; only the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the assessed damages. It is also not a guaranteed replacement cost policy; this means if damages exceed the policy coverage amount then you will not be granted additional funds exceeding your policy limit. Flood damages can be valued based upon the Replacement Cost Value (RCV), which is the cost to replace the damaged item(s) without depreciation, or the Actual Cash Value (ACV), which is the RCV value minus the depreciation value. All policies vary slightly. It is important to ask your flood insurance provider the details of your policy.

  • Know Your Flood Risk
  • Flood Insurance Rate Maps

Factors That Affect Your Flood Insurance Policy

Flood insurance coverage and rates can vary based on the insurance company and the policy. There are many other factors that affect the cost of flood insurance including:

  • FEMA Flood Zone
  • Building Type
  • Year of Construction
  • Building Occupancy
  • Number of Floors
  • Base Flood Elevation
  • Desired Deductible
  • Amount of Coverage
  • Location of Contents