Photo: Hanyou23 · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Lincoln’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #19 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 130 claims here since 1981.
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 Lincoln’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lincoln 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
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 Lincoln’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lincoln, and Lincoln’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #19 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lincoln’s residents live in 79 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, Lincoln has less expected damage per building than 68% of Nebraska towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Lincoln has lower expected damage per building than 57% (#174 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $96.0M, is the 120th largest of those 400.
Does Lincoln flood? Yes: 130 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lincoln, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $18K
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $10K
Lincoln is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lancaster County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lincoln
Disasters that paid out in Lincoln itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lincoln), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$17K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Lancaster 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 Lincoln after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lincoln archive →Lincoln and its neighbors
Lincoln 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 130 |
| Yankee Hill | — | 250 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Walton | — | 579 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cheney | — | 144 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 Lincoln 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.
- 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.
- Lincoln residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lincoln
Is Lincoln at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #19 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lincoln flood?
Flood insurance has paid 130 claims in Lincoln since 1981, $2.6M in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Lincoln 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 Lancaster County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lincoln?
Lincoln is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lincoln?
By FEMA money that reached Lincoln, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 36 households applied for aid, $17K approved. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $18K.
Is Lincoln at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Lincoln’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lincoln.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lincoln’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.