Gering Courier Building · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA puts Gering’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gering gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #41 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hail (41%). 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 Gering 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
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 Gering’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gering, and Gering’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 41%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #41 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gering’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, Gering has more expected damage per building than 71% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Gering: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gering flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Gering. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Gering isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scotts Bluff County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gering
Disasters that paid out in Gering itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gering), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$53K to the City of Gering for repairs
- 2011Flooding$19K to the City of Gering for repairs
Scotts Bluff County has had 7 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 Gering after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gering archive →Gering and its neighbors
Gering is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrytown | Cmore damage than 68% | hail | — |
| Scottsbluff | Cmore damage than 70% | hail | 23 |
| Gering | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Gering 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.
- 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 Gering
Is Gering at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gering has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #41 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hail (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Gering 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 Scotts Bluff County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Gering?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gering’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 Gering?
By FEMA money that reached Gering, Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds (2024): $53K to the City of Gering for repairs.
Is Gering at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Gering’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gering.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gering’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.