Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Bigelow
Bigelow isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Bigelow yet. Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1984.
What Bigelow 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 Bigelow flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bigelow, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding7 claims · $273K
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $36K
Bigelow 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bigelow
Disasters that paid out in Bigelow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bigelow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$976 aid approved
- 2011Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$24K aid approved3 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 Bigelow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bigelow archive →Get ready for what Bigelow 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 Bigelow
Does Bigelow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Bigelow since 1984, $657K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (7).
Is Bigelow 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 Bigelow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bigelow’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 Bigelow?
By FEMA money that reached Bigelow, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 6 households applied for aid, $24K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 7 paid, $273K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bigelow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bigelow’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.