FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Valley than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valley 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 (60%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 166 claims 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 stands out about Valley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Valley 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 Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valley, and Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% 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).
All of Valley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Nebraska town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Valley has more expected damage per building than 57% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Valley: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valley flood? Yes: 166 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valley, from FEMA’s records: 99.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding103 claims · $2.0M
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $11K
Valley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Valley
Disasters that paid out in Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding480 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$2.3M to the City of Valley for repairs104 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$29K to the City of Valley for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the City of Valley for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$10K to the City of Valley for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$48K to the City of Valley for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$16K to the City of Valley for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Douglas County has had 26 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 Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valley archive →Valley and its neighbors
Valley has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Leshara Township | — | 616 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| King Lake | — | 101 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Valley 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.
- Valley residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Valley
Is Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valley 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 (60%) and tornadoes (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 Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 166 claims in Valley since 1978, $2.4M in all, or 99.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (103).
Is Valley 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 Douglas County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Valley?
Valley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Valley, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 480 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $2.3M to the City of Valley for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 103 paid, $2.0M.
Is Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Valley’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valley’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.