Photo: Atomic Energy505 · CC BY-SA 3.0Papillion’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Papillion gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #20 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1984.
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 Papillion 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 Papillion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Papillion, and Papillion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #20 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Papillion’s residents live in 10 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, Papillion has less expected damage per building than 66% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across Papillion: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Papillion flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Papillion, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $4K
Papillion is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sarpy County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Papillion
Disasters that paid out in Papillion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Papillion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$462K to the City of Papillion for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$98K to the City of Papillion for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding130 households applied for aid$255K aid approved$8K to the City of Papillion for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$157K to the City of Papillion for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$57K to the City of Papillion for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$123K to the City of Papillion for repairs
Sarpy County has had 22 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 Papillion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Papillion archive →Papillion and its neighbors
Papillion is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Vista | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Papillion | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Papillion 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.
- Papillion residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Papillion
Is Papillion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Papillion has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #20 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Papillion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Papillion since 1984, $41K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Papillion 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 Sarpy County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Papillion?
Papillion is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Papillion?
By FEMA money that reached Papillion, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $462K to the City of Papillion for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Papillion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Papillion’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Papillion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Papillion’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.