Telocvicna Jednota "T.J." Sokol Hall · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Crete faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crete gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #54 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1981.
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 Crete 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 Crete’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crete, and Crete’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #54 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crete’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, Crete has more expected damage per building than 95% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Crete: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crete flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crete, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding4 claims · $22K
Crete isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saline County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crete
Disasters that paid out in Crete itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crete), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$25K to the City of Crete for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$8K to the City of Crete for repairs
Saline County has had 18 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 Crete after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crete archive →Get ready for what Crete 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 Crete
Is Crete at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crete has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #54 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crete flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Crete since 1981, $47K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Crete 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 Saline County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crete?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crete’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 Crete?
By FEMA money that reached Crete, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 13 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $25K to the City of Crete for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $22K.
Is Crete at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Crete’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crete.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crete’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.