Photo: Code36 at English Wikipedia · Public domainFor tornadoes, Bellevue’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #17 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 96 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 Bellevue’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bellevue 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 Bellevue’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellevue, and Bellevue’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #17 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellevue’s residents live in 21 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, Bellevue has less expected damage per building than 71% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.5M a year in losses across Bellevue: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellevue flood? Sometimes: 96 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellevue, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding16 claims · $317K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding14 claims · $1.6M
- The Late spring storms4 claims · $269K
Bellevue isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sarpy County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellevue
Disasters that paid out in Bellevue itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bellevue), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding772 households applied for aid$10.4M aid approved$3.8M to the City of Bellevue for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$248K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2011Flooding48 households applied for aid$319K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Bellevue for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$84K to the City of Bellevue for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$110K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$70K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
Show all 8
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$308K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Sarpy County has had 22 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 Bellevue after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellevue archive →Bellevue and its neighbors
Bellevue is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offutt AFB | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bellevue | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
| Omaha | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 188 |
| Council Bluffs | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 436 |
| La Platte | — | 0 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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
Is Bellevue at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #17 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellevue flood?
Flood insurance has paid 96 claims in Bellevue since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (16).
Is Bellevue 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 Sarpy County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellevue?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellevue’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 Bellevue?
By FEMA money that reached Bellevue, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 772 households applied for aid, $10.4M approved, and $3.8M to the City of Bellevue for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 16 paid, $317K.
Is Bellevue at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Bellevue’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellevue.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellevue’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.