Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Scottsbluff’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scottsbluff gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #36 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is hail (48%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1983.
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 Scottsbluff’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Scottsbluff faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
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 Scottsbluff’s grade
Hail is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scottsbluff, and Scottsbluff’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #36 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scottsbluff’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, Scottsbluff has more expected damage per building than 62% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Scottsbluff: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scottsbluff flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scottsbluff, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms5 claims · $10K
Scottsbluff is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Scotts Bluff County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Scottsbluff
Disasters that paid out in Scottsbluff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Scottsbluff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding$230K to the City of Scottsbluff for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
Scotts Bluff County has had 7 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 Scottsbluff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scottsbluff archive →Scottsbluff and its neighbors
Scottsbluff is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Scottsbluff faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Scottsbluff residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Scottsbluff
Is Scottsbluff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scottsbluff has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #36 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is hail (48%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scottsbluff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Scottsbluff since 1983, $107K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (5).
Is Scottsbluff 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 Scotts Bluff County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Scottsbluff?
Scottsbluff is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Scottsbluff?
By FEMA money that reached Scottsbluff, Flooding (2011): $230K to the City of Scottsbluff for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 5 paid, $10K.
Is Scottsbluff at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Scottsbluff’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scottsbluff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scottsbluff’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.