Water Damage Restoration in Omaha, NE
Omaha by the numbers: 41 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 131 freezing nights a year, 11 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Nebraska insurance help and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Omaha
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
How Often Omaha Floods
The 5 Nebraska counties of the Omaha metro area logged flooding on 41 days from 2016 to 2025 (126 NOAA reports), June most often.
At the Omaha 2.9 W gauge, May is the wettest month with 4.9 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.9 |
| February | 0 | 1.1 |
| March | 4 | 1.8 |
| April | 3 | 3.6 |
| May | 7 | 4.9 |
| June | 10 | 4.7 |
| July | 5 | 3.5 |
| August | 9 | 4.3 |
| September | 2 | 3.1 |
| October | 1 | 2.4 |
| November | 0 | 1.4 |
| December | 0 | 1.4 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | 26 | 58 |
| Saunders County | 14 | 21 |
| Cass County | 13 | 21 |
| Sarpy County | 13 | 18 |
| Washington County | 7 | 8 |
Freezing Nights in Omaha
Omaha averages 131 nights a year at or below 32°F (Omaha #1 station). About 58 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 34 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 5 Nebraska counties of the Omaha metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Omaha
The 5 Nebraska counties of the Omaha metro area were named in 11 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- August 9, 2025: Thunderstorm wind, 110 mph gust (Washington County)A damaging wind event swept across Washington County, Nebraska, during the morning hours of August 9th, 2025, with a path of damage extending from the southwest to the eastern portion of the county.
- April 17, 2025: Tornado, EF3 (Douglas County)At approximately 5:55 PM CST on Thursday, April 17, a tornado developed near Highway 133, and appeared to produce first damage by snapping limbs in an area of trees.
- June 25, 2024: Hail, 4.5 inch hail (Sarpy County)A destructive swath of hail fell across northern and eastern portions of Sarpy County from a very slow moving supercell.
- April 26, 2024: Tornado, EF4 (Douglas County)This tornado developed about one quarter mile west of the West Q Road and 255th Street intersection in Western Douglas county where trees were knocked down and a farmstead sustained outbuilding damage.
- March 15, 2019: Flood (Sarpy County)Levee R-613 failed causing major flooding at Offutt Air Force Base and the Papillion Creek Wastewater Plant.
Federal disaster declarations
- October 22, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4896
- May 21, 2025: Severe Winter Storm And Straight-Line WindsWinter Storm, FEMA DR-4868
- October 21, 2024: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4838
- September 24, 2024: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4822
- August 20, 2024: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4808
- May 3, 2024: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And TornadoesTornado, FEMA DR-4778
- April 9, 2023: Waconda-Beaver Lake Fire ComplexFire, FEMA FM-5462
- February 23, 2022: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And TornadoesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4641
Omaha Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Omaha (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 213,023 housing units, a median build year of 1973, 61% built before 1980, 46% before 1970, 57% owner occupied.
Nebraska Insurance Help for Water Claims
Claim problems in Nebraska go to the Nebraska Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Omaha flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Omaha
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Questions
When is the first freeze in Omaha?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 18 and the median last is April 16 at the Omaha #1 station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, EPA mold guide.