Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA puts Tecumseh’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tecumseh gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then wildfire (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Tecumseh 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
Wildfire
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 Tecumseh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tecumseh, and Tecumseh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tecumseh’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $919K a year in losses across Tecumseh: $541K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tecumseh flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tecumseh, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Tecumseh isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tecumseh
Disasters that paid out in Tecumseh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tecumseh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$34K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornado, and Straight-lin$28K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$37K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Johnson County has had 19 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 Tecumseh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tecumseh archive →Get ready for what Tecumseh 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Tecumseh
Is Tecumseh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tecumseh has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and wildfire (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tecumseh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Tecumseh since 1982, $2K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Tecumseh 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 Johnson County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tecumseh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tecumseh’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 Tecumseh?
By FEMA money that reached Tecumseh, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $37K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs.
Is Tecumseh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Tecumseh’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tecumseh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tecumseh’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.