Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainPlattsmouth’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plattsmouth gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #11 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Plattsmouth 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 Plattsmouth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plattsmouth, and Plattsmouth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #11 of 57 in Nebraska; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plattsmouth’s residents live in 2 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, Plattsmouth has less expected damage per building than 82% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Plattsmouth: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plattsmouth flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plattsmouth, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding14 claims · $2.2M
- The Late spring storms3 claims · $128K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $35K
Plattsmouth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plattsmouth
Disasters that paid out in Plattsmouth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Plattsmouth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$129K to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding154 households applied for aid$549K aid approved$133M to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$45K to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs
- 2011Flooding30 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$1.6M to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$128K to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$19K to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs
Show all 7
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$11K to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs
Cass County has had 23 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 Cass County, 2023–2023.
Old photos of Plattsmouth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plattsmouth archive →Get ready for what Plattsmouth 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 Plattsmouth
Is Plattsmouth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plattsmouth has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #11 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plattsmouth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Plattsmouth since 1984, $2.3M in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (14).
Is Plattsmouth 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 Cass County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plattsmouth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plattsmouth’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 Plattsmouth?
By FEMA money that reached Plattsmouth, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 154 households applied for aid, $549K approved, and $133M to the City of Plattsmouth for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 14 paid, $2.2M.
Is Plattsmouth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Plattsmouth’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plattsmouth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plattsmouth’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.