Photo: FortepanIowa · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Greene
Greene isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Greene yet. Flood insurance has paid 48 claims here since 1999.
What Greene 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
Tornadoes
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 Greene flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greene, from FEMA’s records.
- The Storm7 claims · $310K
Greene isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greene
Disasters that paid out in Greene itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greene), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$181K to the City of Greene for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding158 households applied for aid$698K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Greene for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$12K to the City of Greene for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$8K to the City of Greene for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of Greene for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Butler County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Greene after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greene archive →Get ready for what Greene 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.
- 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.
- 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 Greene
Does Greene flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Greene since 1999, $1.2M in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (7).
Is Greene 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 Butler County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greene?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greene’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 Greene?
By FEMA money that reached Greene, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 158 households applied for aid, $698K approved, and $1.7M to the City of Greene for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 7 paid, $310K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greene.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greene’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.