Photo: Latteinthemidwest20 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Norfolk’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norfolk gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #48 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1982.
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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norfolk, and Norfolk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #48 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norfolk’s residents live in 7 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, Norfolk has more expected damage per building than 84% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.8M a year in losses across Norfolk: $10.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norfolk flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norfolk, 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.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding3 claims · $205K
Norfolk isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norfolk
Disasters that paid out in Norfolk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Norfolk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding82 households applied for aid$184K aid approved$234K to the City of Norfolk for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$388K to the City of Norfolk for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$1K to the City of Norfolk for repairs
Madison 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 Norfolk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norfolk archive →Get ready for what Norfolk 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Norfolk
Is Norfolk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norfolk has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #48 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norfolk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Norfolk since 1982, $3.1M in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Norfolk 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 Madison County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Norfolk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norfolk’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 Norfolk?
By FEMA money that reached Norfolk, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 82 households applied for aid, $184K approved, and $234K to the City of Norfolk for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $205K.
Is Norfolk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Norfolk’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norfolk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norfolk’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.