Patterson Law Office · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Central City than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #51 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1982.
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 Central City 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 Central City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Central City, and Central City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #51 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Central City’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, Central City has more expected damage per building than 89% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Central City: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Central City flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Central City, 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.
Central City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Merrick County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Central City
Disasters that paid out in Central City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Central City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$16K to the City of Central City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the City of Central City for repairs
Merrick County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Central City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Central City archive →Get ready for what Central City 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 Central City
Is Central City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central City has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #51 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (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.
Does Central City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Central City since 1982, $2K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Central City 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 Merrick County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Central City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Central City’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 Central City?
By FEMA money that reached Central City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $30K to the City of Central City for repairs.
Is Central City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Central City’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Central City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Central City’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.