Bel Aire, KS Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Bel Aire in Sedgwick County faces flooding from Chisholm Creek. Heavy rainfall causes the creek to overflow its banks, affecting low-lying residential areas in this Wichita suburb.
Sedgwick County has recorded 983 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $14.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 7
NFIP Policies
1,147
Sedgwick County
Avg. Premium
$1,001/yr
Sedgwick County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Sedgwick County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $101.0M
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $40K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County has been included in 4 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Sedgwick County, including Bel Aire.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Sedgwick County
Properties in Sedgwick County have filed 983 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $14.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $14K.
Highest-Claim Years
1998
117 claims - $3.2M
1993
106 claims - $626K
2008
85 claims - $1.8M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Sedgwick County
Only roughly 1 in 180 households in Sedgwick County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.6% of estimated households). With 220 recorded flood events and $6.6M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.6%
roughly 1 in 180 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
983 claims over 45+ years across 1,147 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$14,354
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Sedgwick County has averaged 1 claim for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Bel Aire.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Bel Aire
Bel Aire faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Bel Aire are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $101.0M.
Riverine flood risk in Bel Aire is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Bel Aire address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County has 74 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 7 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
74
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
7
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 73 of 74 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Sedgwick County
NOAA has recorded 220 flood events in Sedgwick County since 1996, causing $6.6M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Sedgwick County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 191 properties in Sedgwick County, investing $33.0M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Bel Aire, KS Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Bel Aire, KS?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Bel Aire are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Bel Aire?
If your Bel Aire property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Bel Aire?
Enter your Bel Aire address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in Bel Aire?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Sedgwick County (where Bel Aire is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $101.0M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Bel Aire experienced major flooding events?
Sedgwick County, where Bel Aire is located, has been part of 4 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Katrina Evacuation in 2005. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Bel Aire?
Sedgwick County has recorded 983 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $14.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1998, with 117 claims and $3.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Bel Aire.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Bel Aire?
Sedgwick County currently has 1,147 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,001. The most policies are in Zone AE (592 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Bel Aire properties have flooded repeatedly?
Sedgwick County has 74 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 7 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Bel Aire property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Bel Aire?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Bel Aire's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Look Up Any Bel Aire, KS Address
Enter a Bel Aire, KS address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.