Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainBlair’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blair gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #15 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Blair’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Blair 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 Blair’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blair, and Blair’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #15 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blair’s residents live in 2 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, Blair has less expected damage per building than 75% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Blair: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blair flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blair, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms6 claims · $424K
Blair isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blair
Disasters that paid out in Blair itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blair), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$794K to the City of Blair for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes213 households applied for aid$157K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$8K to the City of Blair for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$89K to the City of Blair for repairs
- 2011Flooding99 households applied for aid$434K aid approved$2.6M to the City of Blair for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$163K to the City of Blair for repairs
Show all 9
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$17K to the City of Blair for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$61K to the City of Blair for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$42K to the City of Blair for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Washington 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 Blair after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blair archive →Blair and its neighbors
Blair has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Township 2 | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Township 6 | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Township 5 | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Blair 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 Blair
Is Blair at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blair has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #15 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blair flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Blair since 1978, $602K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (6).
Is Blair 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 Washington 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 Blair?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blair’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 Blair?
By FEMA money that reached Blair, Flooding (2011): 99 households applied for aid, $434K approved, and $2.6M to the City of Blair for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 6 paid, $424K.
Is Blair at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Blair’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blair.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blair’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.