Chimney Rock National Historic Site · Photo: Mike Tigas from Columbia, MO, United States · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Bayard faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayard gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hail (16%). 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 Bayard 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
Hail
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 Bayard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bayard, and Bayard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bayard’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Bayard: $601K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bayard flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bayard. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bayard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morrill County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bayard
Disasters that paid out in Bayard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bayard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$83K to the City of Bayard for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$60K to the City of Bayard for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$3K to the City of Bayard for repairs
Morrill County has had 13 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Morrill County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Bayard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bayard archive →Get ready for what Bayard 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.
- 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.
- 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 Bayard
Is Bayard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayard has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hail (16%). 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 Bayard 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 Morrill County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bayard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bayard’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 Bayard?
By FEMA money that reached Bayard, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2017): $83K to the City of Bayard for repairs.
Is Bayard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Bayard’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bayard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bayard’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.