Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Hartington faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Hartington 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
Wildfire
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 Hartington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartington, and Hartington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hartington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Hartington: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartington flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hartington, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $20K
Hartington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cedar County.The storms Hartington remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Cedar County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Hartington itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20191 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Cedar County
Cedar County has had 13 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 Hartington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartington archive →Get ready for what Hartington 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Hartington
Is Hartington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartington has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Hartington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hartington since 2019, $20K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Hartington 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 Cedar County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hartington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartington’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 Hartington?
By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $20K.
Is Hartington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Hartington’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hartington’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.