F.J. Kirchman House · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainWahoo’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wahoo gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #23 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Wahoo 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 Wahoo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wahoo, and Wahoo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #23 of 57 in Nebraska; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wahoo’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, Wahoo has less expected damage per building than 61% of Nebraska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Wahoo: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wahoo flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wahoo, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wahoo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saunders County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wahoo
Disasters that paid out in Wahoo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wahoo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$873K to the City of Wahoo for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$49K to the City of Wahoo for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$558K to the City of Wahoo for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$170 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Saunders County has had 27 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 Wahoo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wahoo archive →Wahoo and its neighbors
Wahoo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahoo | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Center Township | — | 627 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stocking Township | — | 174 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 Wahoo 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 Wahoo
Is Wahoo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wahoo has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #23 of 57 in Nebraska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (22%). 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 Wahoo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wahoo since 1978, $4K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wahoo 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 Saunders County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wahoo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wahoo’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 Wahoo?
By FEMA money that reached Wahoo, Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds (2025): $873K to the City of Wahoo for repairs.
Is Wahoo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Wahoo’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wahoo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wahoo’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.