Fremont Municipal Power Plant and Pumping Station · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fremont than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fremont gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #49 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 381 claims here since 1978.
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 Fremont’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fremont 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 Fremont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fremont, and Fremont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #49 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fremont’s residents live in 7 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, Fremont has more expected damage per building than 86% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.1M a year in losses across Fremont: $11.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fremont flood? Yes: 381 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fremont, from FEMA’s records: 32.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding152 claims · $5.9M
Fremont is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dodge County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fremont
Disasters that paid out in Fremont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fremont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$2.1M to the City of Fremont for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding913 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Fremont for repairs152 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$44K to the City of Fremont for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding$25K to the City of Fremont for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$3K to the City of Fremont for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$16K to the City of Fremont for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Dodge 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 Fremont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fremont archive →Fremont and its neighbors
Fremont has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 381 |
| Platte Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 334 |
| Elkhorn Township | — | 396 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Inglewood | — | 511 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 Fremont 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.
- Fremont residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fremont
Is Fremont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fremont has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #49 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fremont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 381 claims in Fremont since 1978, $7.7M in all, or 32.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 36 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (152).
Is Fremont 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 Dodge County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fremont?
Fremont is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fremont?
By FEMA money that reached Fremont, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 913 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Fremont for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 152 paid, $5.9M.
Is Fremont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Fremont’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fremont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fremont’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.