Storms, floods and disasters in Big Lake
Big Lake isn’t graded for hazard risk: Big Lake has 82 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1,015 claims here since 1984.
What Big Lake 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
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 Big Lake flood? Yes: 1,015 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Big Lake, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring storms210 claims · $7.7M
- The Midwest Flooding126 claims · $3.0M
Big Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Holt County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Big Lake
Disasters that paid out in Big Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Big Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$106K to the Village of Big Lake for repairs192 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding12 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$99K to the Village of Big Lake for repairs211 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$57K to the Village of Big Lake for repairs223 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$49K to the Village of Big Lake for repairs168 flood claims paid that year
Holt County has had 20 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 Big Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Big Lake archive →Get ready for what Big Lake 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.
- 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 Big Lake
Does Big Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,015 claims in Big Lake since 1984, $35.3M in all. 204 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (210).
Is Big Lake 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 Holt County, 5.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Big Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Lake’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 Big Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Big Lake, Flooding (2011): 12 households applied for aid, $30K approved, and $99K to the Village of Big Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 210 paid, $7.7M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Lake’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.