Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, North Bend faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bend gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 72 claims here since 1978.
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 North Bend’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Bend 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 North Bend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Bend, and North Bend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Bend’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across North Bend: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Bend flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Bend, from FEMA’s records: 158.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding54 claims · $980K
North Bend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dodge County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Bend
Disasters that paid out in North Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding284 households applied for aid$659K aid approved$1.2M to the City of North Bend for repairs54 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$2K to the City of North Bend for repairs
Dodge County has had 18 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 North Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Bend archive →North Bend and its neighbors
North Bend 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Bend | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Cotterell Township | — | 353 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Union Township | — | 243 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 North Bend 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 North Bend
Is North Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bend has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in North Bend since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 158.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (54).
Is North Bend 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 Dodge County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Bend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Bend’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 North Bend?
By FEMA money that reached North Bend, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 284 households applied for aid, $659K approved, and $1.2M to the City of North Bend for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 54 paid, $980K.
Is North Bend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and North Bend’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Bend’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.