Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, McCook faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McCook gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #4 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hail (27%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1980.
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 McCook 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
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 McCook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in McCook, and McCook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 27%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #4 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McCook’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, McCook has less expected damage per building than 95% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across McCook: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McCook flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McCook, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
McCook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Red Willow County.The storms McCook remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Red Willow County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching McCook itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19801 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20071 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Red Willow County
Red Willow County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Red Willow County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of McCook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McCook archive →Get ready for what McCook 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.
- 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 McCook
Is McCook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McCook has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #4 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hail (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McCook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in McCook since 1980, $28K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is McCook 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 Red Willow County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McCook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McCook’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is McCook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and McCook’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McCook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McCook’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.