Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Geneva than in 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (35%), then tornadoes (21%). 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 Geneva 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 Geneva’s grade
River and rain flooding is 35% of the building damage FEMA expects in Geneva, and Geneva’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Geneva’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Geneva: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Geneva flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Geneva. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Geneva isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fillmore County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Geneva
Disasters that paid out in Geneva itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Geneva), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$42K to the City of Geneva for repairs
Fillmore County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Geneva after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Geneva archive →Get ready for what Geneva 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 Geneva
Is Geneva at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (35%) and tornadoes (21%). 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 Geneva 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 Fillmore County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Geneva?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Geneva’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 Geneva?
By FEMA money that reached Geneva, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $42K to the City of Geneva for repairs.
Is Geneva at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (35%), and Geneva’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Geneva.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Geneva’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.