Gov. Arthur J. Weaver House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Falls City faces less hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falls City gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #5 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (28%). 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 stands out about Falls City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Falls 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
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 Falls City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Falls City, and Falls City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 28%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #5 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Falls 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, Falls City has less expected damage per building than 93% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Falls City: $922K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Falls City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Falls City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Falls 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: Richardson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Falls City
Disasters that paid out in Falls City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Falls City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$174K to the City of Falls City for repairs
- 2011Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$70K to the City of Falls City for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding$27K to the City of Falls City for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$388K to the City of Falls City for repairs
Richardson County has had 20 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 Falls City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Falls City archive →Get ready for what Falls 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.
- 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 Falls City
Is Falls City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falls City has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #5 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (28%). 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 Falls 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 Richardson County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Falls City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Falls 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 Falls City?
By FEMA money that reached Falls City, Severe Winter Storm (2007): $388K to the City of Falls City for repairs.
Is Falls City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Falls City’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Falls City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Falls 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.