Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Drain than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Drain gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 43 claims here since 1981.
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 Drain’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Drain 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
Earthquakes
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 Drain’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Drain, and Drain’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 21% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Drain’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Drain: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Drain flood? Sometimes: 43 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Drain, from FEMA’s records: 105.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Drain isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Drain
Disasters that paid out in Drain itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Drain), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$63K to the City of Drain for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds110 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$216K to the City of Drain for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Drain for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Storm with High Winds$2K to the City of Drain for repairs
Douglas County has had 18 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.
Also 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Douglas County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Drain after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Drain archive →Get ready for what Drain 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Drain
Is Drain at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Drain has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (21%). 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 Drain flood?
Flood insurance has paid 43 claims in Drain since 1981, $697K in all, or 105.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Drain 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, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Drain?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Drain’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 Drain?
By FEMA money that reached Drain, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $216K to the City of Drain for repairs.
Is Drain at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Drain’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Drain.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Drain’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.