Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA puts O'Neill’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, O'Neill gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #2 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 O'Neill 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 O'Neill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in O'Neill, and O'Neill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #2 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of O'Neill’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Nebraska town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, O'Neill has less expected damage per building than 98% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across O'Neill: $643K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does O'Neill flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in O'Neill, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $773
O'Neill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Holt County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to O'Neill
Disasters that paid out in O'Neill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of O'Neill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$379K to the City of O'Neill for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the City of O'Neill for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of O'Neill for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes$11K to the City of O'Neill for repairs
Holt County has had 13 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 O'Neill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the O'Neill archive →Get ready for what O'Neill 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 O'Neill
Is O'Neill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, O'Neill has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #2 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (25%). 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 O'Neill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in O'Neill since 2019, $773 in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is O'Neill 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 Holt County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in O'Neill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for O'Neill’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 O'Neill?
By FEMA money that reached O'Neill, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 22 households applied for aid, $21K approved, and $379K to the City of O'Neill for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $773.
Is O'Neill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and O'Neill’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in O'Neill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where O'Neill’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.