Photo: MMarshall at English Wikipedia · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Kearney than in 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kearney gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #38 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then hail (29%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1983.
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 Kearney’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kearney 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 Kearney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kearney, and Kearney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 29%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #38 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kearney’s residents live in 8 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, Kearney has more expected damage per building than 66% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.3M a year in losses across Kearney: $12.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kearney flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kearney, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $23K
Kearney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Buffalo County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kearney
Disasters that paid out in Kearney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kearney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding267 households applied for aid$423K aid approved$875K to the City of Kearney for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding475 households applied for aid$199K aid approved$325K to the City of Kearney for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$406K to the City of Kearney for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$11K to the City of Kearney for repairs
Buffalo County has had 16 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 Kearney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kearney archive →Kearney and its neighbors
Kearney has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Glenwood | — | 653 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Kearney 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 Kearney
Is Kearney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kearney has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #38 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and hail (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kearney flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Kearney since 1983, $6.8M in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Kearney 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 Buffalo County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kearney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kearney’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 Kearney?
By FEMA money that reached Kearney, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 267 households applied for aid, $423K approved, and $875K to the City of Kearney for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $23K.
Is Kearney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Kearney’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kearney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kearney’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.