Scout's Rest Ranch Headquarters · Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFor hail, North Platte’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Platte gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #28 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Platte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Platte 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 North Platte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Platte, and North Platte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #28 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Platte’s residents live in 5 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, North Platte has less expected damage per building than 52% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across North Platte: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Platte flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Platte, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms6 claims · $85K
North Platte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Platte
Disasters that paid out in North Platte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Platte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$246K to the City of North Platte for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$13K to the City of North Platte for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$114K to the City of North Platte for repairs
- 2011Flooding51 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$252K to the City of North Platte for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$32K to the City of North Platte for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$70K to the City of North Platte for repairs
Lincoln 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of North Platte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Platte archive →Get ready for what North Platte 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 North Platte
Is North Platte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Platte has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #28 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Platte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in North Platte since 1978, $205K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (6).
Is North Platte 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 Lincoln County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Platte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Platte’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 Platte?
By FEMA money that reached North Platte, Flooding (2011): 51 households applied for aid, $78K approved, and $252K to the City of North Platte for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 6 paid, $85K.
Is North Platte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and North Platte’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Platte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Platte’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.