Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Sidney than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sidney gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1978.
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 Sidney 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
Hail
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 Sidney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sidney, and Sidney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #57 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sidney’s residents live in 3 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, Sidney has more expected damage per building than 100% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Sidney: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sidney flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sidney, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sidney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cheyenne County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sidney
Disasters that paid out in Sidney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sidney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$10K to the City of Sidney for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$104K to the City of Sidney for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$15K to the City of Sidney for repairs
Cheyenne 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 Sidney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sidney archive →Get ready for what Sidney 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sidney
Is Sidney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sidney has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sidney flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sidney since 1978, $411 in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sidney 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 Cheyenne County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sidney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sidney’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 Sidney?
By FEMA money that reached Sidney, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $104K to the City of Sidney for repairs.
Is Sidney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Sidney’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sidney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sidney’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.