Hastings Municipal Airport Hangar-Building No. 1 · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Hastings faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hastings gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #42 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is hail (35%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Hastings’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hastings faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
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 Hastings’ grade
Hail is 35% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hastings, and Hastings’ rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #42 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hastings’ residents live in 9 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, Hastings has more expected damage per building than 73% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.3M a year in losses across Hastings: $10.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hastings flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hastings, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hastings isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adams County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hastings
Disasters that paid out in Hastings itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hastings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$23K to the City of Hastings for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$45K to the City of Hastings for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$49K to the City of Hastings for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$201K to the City of Hastings for repairs
Adams County has had 15 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 Hastings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hastings archive →Get ready for what Hastings faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hastings
Is Hastings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hastings has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #42 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is hail (35%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hastings flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Hastings since 1978, $267K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hastings 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 Adams County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hastings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hastings’ 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 Hastings?
By FEMA money that reached Hastings, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $201K to the City of Hastings for repairs.
Is Hastings at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (35%), and Hastings’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hastings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hastings’ 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.