Pratt & Cjolme Building · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Platte faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platte gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.
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 Platte 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
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 Platte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Platte, and Platte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Platte’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Platte: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Platte flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Platte, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Platte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Charles Mix County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Platte
Disasters that paid out in Platte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Platte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Platte for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2011Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Charles Mix County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Platte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Platte archive →Get ready for what Platte 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.
- 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 Platte
Is Platte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platte has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (13%). 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 Platte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Platte since 2016, $186K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Platte 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 Charles Mix County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Platte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Platte’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 Platte?
By FEMA money that reached Platte, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 5 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $1.1M to the City of Platte for repairs.
Is Platte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Platte’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Platte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Platte’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.