Barnes Oil Company · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ashland than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1978.
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 Ashland 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.
What’s behind Ashland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland, and Ashland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #56 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ashland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Nebraska town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ashland has more expected damage per building than 98% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Ashland: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashland, from FEMA’s records: 37.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding2 claims · $92K
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $20K
Ashland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saunders County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashland
Disasters that paid out in Ashland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ashland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding132 households applied for aid$512K aid approved$36K to the City of Ashland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$168K to the City of Ashland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornado, and Straight-lin$8K to the City of Ashland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Saunders County has had 27 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 Ashland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland archive →Get ready for what Ashland 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 Ashland
Is Ashland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Ashland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Ashland since 1978, $534K in all, or 37.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Ashland 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 Saunders County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashland’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 Ashland?
By FEMA money that reached Ashland, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 132 households applied for aid, $512K approved, and $36K to the City of Ashland for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $92K.
Is Ashland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Ashland’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland’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.