Photo: afiler · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lincoln than in 79% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #18 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is hail (42%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1995.
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 Lincoln faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Lincoln’s grade
Hail is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lincoln, and Lincoln’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #18 of 23 in North Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lincoln’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical North Dakota town has lower expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lincoln has more expected damage per building than 77% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Lincoln: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lincoln flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lincoln, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $121K
Lincoln isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burleigh County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lincoln
Disasters that paid out in Lincoln itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lincoln), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$413 to the City of Lincoln for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$63K to the City of Lincoln for repairs
Burleigh County has had 19 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 Lincoln after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lincoln archive →Lincoln and its neighbors
Lincoln has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | C−more damage than 79% | hail | 8 |
| Apple Creek Township | C−more damage than 80% | hail | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Lincoln faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Lincoln
Is Lincoln at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #18 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is hail (42%) and river and rain flooding (39%). 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.
Does Lincoln flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Lincoln since 1995, $142K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Lincoln 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 Burleigh County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lincoln?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lincoln’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 Lincoln?
By FEMA money that reached Lincoln, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor (1999): $63K to the City of Lincoln for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $121K.
Is Lincoln at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Lincoln’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lincoln.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lincoln’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.