Photo: Public domain · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Aurora than in 79% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurora gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #43 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (34%), then strong wind (22%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1980.
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 Aurora 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
Strong wind
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 Aurora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 34% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aurora, and Aurora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #43 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Aurora’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, Aurora has more expected damage per building than 75% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Aurora: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aurora flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aurora, 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.
Aurora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aurora
Disasters that paid out in Aurora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aurora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$46K to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$978 to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$55K to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$39K to the City of Aurora for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$886 to the City of Aurora for repairs
Hamilton County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Aurora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aurora archive →Get ready for what Aurora 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Aurora
Is Aurora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurora has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #43 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (34%) and strong wind (22%). 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 Aurora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Aurora since 1980, $76K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Aurora 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 Hamilton County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aurora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aurora’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 Aurora?
By FEMA money that reached Aurora, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 21 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $55K to the City of Aurora for repairs.
Is Aurora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (34%), and Aurora’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aurora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aurora’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.