Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainDavid City’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, David City gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #14 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%), then tornadoes (27%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 David 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
Hail
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 David City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in David City, and David City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #14 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of David 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, David City has less expected damage per building than 77% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across David City: $839K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does David City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in David City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
David 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: Butler County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to David City
Disasters that paid out in David City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of David City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$129K to the City of David City for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$51K to the City of David City for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$50K to the City of David City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
Butler County has had 16 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 David City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the David City archive →David City and its neighbors
David City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| David City | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Franklin Township | — | 261 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Olive Township | — | 159 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 David 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.
- 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.
- 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 David City
Is David City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, David City has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #14 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%) and tornadoes (27%). 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.
Is David 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 Butler County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in David City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for David 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 David City?
By FEMA money that reached David City, Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds (2025): $129K to the City of David City for repairs.
Is David City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and David City’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in David City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where David 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.