Photo: Workman at en.wikipedia · CC BY 2.5For tornadoes, Nebraska City’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nebraska City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #22 of 57 in Nebraska State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1993.
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 Nebraska City 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
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 Nebraska City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nebraska City, and Nebraska City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #22 of 57 in Nebraska State; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nebraska City’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Nebraska State town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Nebraska City has less expected damage per building than 62% of Nebraska State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Nebraska City: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nebraska City flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nebraska City, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms5 claims · $334K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $7K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $9K
Nebraska City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otoe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nebraska City
Disasters that paid out in Nebraska City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nebraska City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$418K to the City of Nebraska City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Flooding$5K to the City of Nebraska City for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$201K to the City of Nebraska City for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$26K to the City of Nebraska City for repairs
Otoe County has had 20 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 Nebraska City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nebraska City archive →Get ready for what Nebraska City 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.
- 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 Nebraska City
Is Nebraska City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nebraska City has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #22 of 57 in Nebraska State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nebraska City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Nebraska City since 1993, $350K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (5).
Is Nebraska City 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 Otoe County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nebraska City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nebraska City’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 Nebraska City?
By FEMA money that reached Nebraska City, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $418K to the City of Nebraska City for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 5 paid, $334K.
Is Nebraska City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Nebraska City’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nebraska City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nebraska City’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.