Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Seward than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seward gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #33 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1982.
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 Seward 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 Seward’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seward, and Seward’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #33 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seward’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, Seward has more expected damage per building than 57% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Seward: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seward flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seward, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $11K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $15K
Seward isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Seward County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seward
Disasters that paid out in Seward itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Seward), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$484K to the City of Seward for repairs
- 2025Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$227K to the City of Seward for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$194K to the City of Seward for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Seward for repairs
Seward 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.
Old photos of Seward after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seward archive →Get ready for what Seward 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 Seward
Is Seward at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seward has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #33 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seward flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Seward since 1982, $124K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Seward 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 Seward County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Seward?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seward’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 Seward?
By FEMA money that reached Seward, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): $484K to the City of Seward for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $11K.
Is Seward at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Seward’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seward.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seward’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.