Pawnee Agency and Boarding School Historic District · Photo: Steven C. Price · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pawnee than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pawnee 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 (69%), then ice storms (13%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1986.
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 Pawnee 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
Ice storms
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 Pawnee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pawnee, and Pawnee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pawnee’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Pawnee: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pawnee flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pawnee, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pawnee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pawnee County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pawnee
Disasters that paid out in Pawnee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pawnee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds3 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$156K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$125K to the City of Pawnee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$12K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$10K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$10K to the City of Pawnee for repairs
Pawnee County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pawnee County, 2011–2025.
Old photos of Pawnee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pawnee archive →Get ready for what Pawnee 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Pawnee
Is Pawnee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pawnee 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 (69%) and ice storms (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pawnee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Pawnee since 1986, $17K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pawnee 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 Pawnee County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pawnee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pawnee’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 Pawnee?
By FEMA money that reached Pawnee, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 23 households applied for aid, $52K approved, and $125K to the City of Pawnee for repairs.
Is Pawnee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Pawnee’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pawnee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pawnee’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.