Beatrice Municipal Auditorium · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Beatrice’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beatrice gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #18 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then tornadoes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 119 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 stands out about Beatrice’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Beatrice 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
Strong wind
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 Beatrice’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beatrice, and Beatrice’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #18 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beatrice’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Nebraska town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Beatrice has less expected damage per building than 70% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Beatrice: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beatrice flood? Yes: 119 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beatrice, from FEMA’s records: 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding22 claims · $175K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $12K
Beatrice isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gage County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beatrice
Disasters that paid out in Beatrice itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beatrice), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$183K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$120K to the City of Beatrice for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$132K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$180K to the City of Beatrice for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding$129K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$15K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$32K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$50K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$322 aid approved$10K to the City of Beatrice for repairs
Gage County has had 21 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 Beatrice after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beatrice archive →Beatrice and its neighbors
Beatrice has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Midland Township | — | 484 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Riverside Township | — | 315 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Beatrice 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Beatrice
Is Beatrice at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beatrice has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #18 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and tornadoes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beatrice flood?
Flood insurance has paid 119 claims in Beatrice since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (22).
Is Beatrice 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 Gage County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beatrice?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beatrice’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 Beatrice?
By FEMA money that reached Beatrice, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2021): $183K to the City of Beatrice for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 22 paid, $175K.
Is Beatrice at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Beatrice’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beatrice.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beatrice’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.