Wilber T. Reed House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Auburn’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #12 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1993.
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 Auburn 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
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 Auburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Auburn, and Auburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #12 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Auburn’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, Auburn has less expected damage per building than 80% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Auburn: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Auburn flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Auburn, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $2K
Auburn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nemaha County.The storms Auburn remembers
None of the 23 disasters declared for Nemaha County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Auburn itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19931 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Nemaha County
Nemaha County has had 23 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 Auburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Auburn archive →Get ready for what Auburn 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.
- 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 Auburn
Is Auburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #12 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (24%). 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 Auburn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Auburn since 1993, $2K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Auburn 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 Nemaha County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Auburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Auburn’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 Auburn?
By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Auburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Auburn’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Auburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Auburn’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.