Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0Lincoln’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then ice storms (17%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Lincoln 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
Wildfire
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 Lincoln’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lincoln, and Lincoln’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lincoln’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Lincoln: $882K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lincoln flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lincoln. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Lincoln isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lincoln
Disasters that paid out in Lincoln itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lincoln), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$30K to the City of Lincoln for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$17K to the City of Lincoln for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding28 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$92K to the City of Lincoln for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$65K to the City of Lincoln for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$10K to the City of Lincoln for repairs
Washington County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lincoln after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lincoln archive →Get ready for what Lincoln 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Lincoln
Is Lincoln at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and ice storms (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lincoln 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 Washington County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lincoln?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lincoln’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 Lincoln?
By FEMA money that reached Lincoln, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 28 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $92K to the City of Lincoln for repairs.
Is Lincoln at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Lincoln’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lincoln.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lincoln’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.