Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Holdrege than in 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holdrege gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #29 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hail (25%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Holdrege 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 Holdrege’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holdrege, and Holdrege’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 25%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #29 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Holdrege’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, Holdrege has more expected damage per building than 50% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Holdrege: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holdrege flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holdrege, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Holdrege isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Phelps County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holdrege
Disasters that paid out in Holdrege itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Holdrege), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$10K to the City of Holdrege for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Holdrege for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$764K to the City of Holdrege for repairs
Phelps 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.
Old photos of Holdrege after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holdrege archive →Get ready for what Holdrege 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 Holdrege
Is Holdrege at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holdrege has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #29 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hail (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holdrege flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Holdrege since 1982, $70K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Holdrege 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 Phelps County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holdrege?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holdrege’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 Holdrege?
By FEMA money that reached Holdrege, Severe Winter Storms (2006): $764K to the City of Holdrege for repairs.
Is Holdrege at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Holdrege’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holdrege.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holdrege’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.