Storms, floods and disasters in Niobrara
Niobrara isn’t graded for hazard risk: Niobrara has 353 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2019.
What Niobrara 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
Wildfire
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.
Does Niobrara flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Niobrara, from FEMA’s records.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $40K
Niobrara isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Niobrara
Disasters that paid out in Niobrara itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Niobrara), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding78 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$385K to the Village of Niobrara for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Flooding90 households applied for aid$516K aid approved$16K to the Village of Niobrara for repairs
Knox County has had 15 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 Niobrara after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Niobrara archive →Get ready for what Niobrara 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Niobrara
Does Niobrara flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Niobrara since 2019, $63K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Niobrara 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 Knox County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Niobrara?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Niobrara’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 Niobrara?
By FEMA money that reached Niobrara, Flooding (2011): 90 households applied for aid, $516K approved, and $16K to the Village of Niobrara for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $40K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Niobrara.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Niobrara’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.