Photo: Kbh3rd · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Linn than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linn gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). 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 Linn 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
Earthquakes
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 Linn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Linn, and Linn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Linn’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $868K a year in losses across Linn: $484K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Linn flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Linn. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Linn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Osage County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Linn
Disasters that paid out in Linn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Linn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding10 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Linn for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Osage County has had 24 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 Linn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Linn archive →Get ready for what Linn 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Linn
Is Linn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linn has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Linn 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 Osage County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Linn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Linn’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 Linn?
By FEMA money that reached Linn, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 10 households applied for aid, $45K approved.
Is Linn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Linn’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Linn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Linn’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.