Flood insurance in Nebraska

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Nebraska, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
7,346
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$964
$306 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$98.3M
across 6,069 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
78%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Nebraska, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2019, with $52.6 million paid on 1,165 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE78%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C22%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 43% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Nebraska

EventYearClaimsPaid
March 2019 Midwest Flooding20191,043$44.8 million
Late spring storms2011345$6.9 million
Midwest Flooding1993506$5.0 million
Flooding199078$385 thousand
Flooding19848$50 thousand

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Nebraska with detailed pages, by number of policies. 35 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Douglas County1,290$1,0781,045$14.6 million
Lancaster County1,078$797313$3.0 million
Dodge County863$937809$11.8 million
Sarpy County677$1,033848$21.5 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Nebraska?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Nebraska costs about $964 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Nebraska?

There are about 7,346 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Nebraska, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Nebraska flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Nebraska have filed 6,069 flood claims, with $98.3 million paid out. 1,333 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.