Midway Stage Station · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainGothenburg’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gothenburg gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #13 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hail (20%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2010.
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 Gothenburg 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
Tornadoes
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 Gothenburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gothenburg, and Gothenburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #13 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gothenburg’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, Gothenburg has less expected damage per building than 79% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Gothenburg: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gothenburg flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gothenburg, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gothenburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dawson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Gothenburg
Disasters that paid out in Gothenburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gothenburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Dawson County has had 11 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Dawson County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Gothenburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gothenburg archive →Get ready for what Gothenburg 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.
- 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.
- 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 Gothenburg
Is Gothenburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gothenburg has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #13 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hail (20%). 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.
Does Gothenburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Gothenburg since 2010, $20K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Gothenburg 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 Dawson County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gothenburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gothenburg’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 Gothenburg?
By FEMA money that reached Gothenburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 17 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Gothenburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Gothenburg’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gothenburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gothenburg’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.