Nemaha County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Nemaha County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.4, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Nemaha County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 17.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $702K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $171K in expected annual loss and about 0.86 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nemaha County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Nemaha County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Nemaha County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $702K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $171K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.74 / yr | $107K |
| Hail | Low | 8.19 / yr | $401K |
| Drought | Low | 10.29 / yr | $233K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.26 / yr | $495K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.37 / yr | $397K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.07 / yr | $85K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.79 / yr | $150K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Nemaha County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nemaha County?
Nemaha County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nemaha County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $702K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $171K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nemaha County compare to other Kansas counties?
Nemaha County ranks #62 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nemaha County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Nemaha County since 1967, most often 9 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds, declared in February 2022.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Nemaha County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.