Photo: Brad Mellema · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Grand Island than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Island gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #40 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 53 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 Grand Island’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grand Island 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
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 Grand Island’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grand Island, and Grand Island’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #40 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grand Island’s residents live in 13 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, Grand Island has more expected damage per building than 70% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.9M a year in losses across Grand Island: $16.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grand Island flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grand Island, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding6 claims · $17K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding4 claims · $52K
Grand Island isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hall County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grand Island
Disasters that paid out in Grand Island itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grand Island), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$59K to the City of Grand Island for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$28K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$98K to the City of Grand Island for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$534K to the City of Grand Island for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$111K to the City of Grand Island for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
Hall County has had 14 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 Grand Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grand Island archive →Get ready for what Grand Island 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.
- 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 Grand Island
Is Grand Island at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Island has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #40 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grand Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Grand Island since 1978, $616K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (6).
Is Grand Island 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 Hall County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grand Island?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grand Island’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 Grand Island?
By FEMA money that reached Grand Island, Severe Winter Storms (2006): $534K to the City of Grand Island for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 6 paid, $17K.
Is Grand Island at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Grand Island’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grand Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grand Island’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.