Hendee Hotel · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainCozad’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cozad gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #25 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2008.
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 Cozad 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
Strong wind
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 Cozad’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cozad, and Cozad’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #25 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cozad’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, Cozad has less expected damage per building than 57% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Cozad: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cozad flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cozad, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cozad isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dawson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cozad
Disasters that paid out in Cozad itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cozad), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$443K to the City of Cozad for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding63 households applied for aid$147K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Cozad for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding156 households applied for aid$322K aid approved$52K to the City of Cozad for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Dawson County has had 11 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 Dawson County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Cozad after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cozad archive →Get ready for what Cozad 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Cozad
Is Cozad at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cozad has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #25 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hail (17%). 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 Cozad flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Cozad since 2008, $96K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cozad 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 Dawson County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cozad?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cozad’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 Cozad?
By FEMA money that reached Cozad, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $443K to the City of Cozad for repairs.
Is Cozad at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Cozad’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cozad.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cozad’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.