Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Ainsworth
Ainsworth isn’t graded for hazard risk: Ainsworth has 633 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
What Ainsworth 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
Hail
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.
Does Ainsworth flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ainsworth, from FEMA’s records.
Ainsworth 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ainsworth
Disasters that paid out in Ainsworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ainsworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$787 aid approved
Washington County has had 12 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 Ainsworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ainsworth archive →Get ready for what Ainsworth 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Ainsworth
Does Ainsworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ainsworth since 2009, $13K in all.
Is Ainsworth 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, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ainsworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ainsworth’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 Ainsworth?
By FEMA money that reached Ainsworth, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 2 households applied for aid, $787 approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ainsworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ainsworth’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.