Banner County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Banner County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.8, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Banner County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 0.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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.
Most of Banner County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $584K in expected annual loss and about 87.02 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $352K in expected annual loss and about 5.66 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $40K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 670.
Beyond physical exposure, Banner County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Banner County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1997, including 4 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Banner County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 87.02 / yr | $584K |
| Hail | Low | 5.66 / yr | $352K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.74 / yr | $169K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $9K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 15.74 / yr | $10K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.52 / yr | $54K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $14 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.34 / yr | $51K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $721 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.72 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $286K |
| 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
Banner County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1997, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| November 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Snow Storms, Rain, and Strong Winds |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Banner County?
Banner County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Banner County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $584K EAL), Hail (Low, $352K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $40K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Banner County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Banner County ranks #84 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Banner County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Banner County since 1997, most often 4 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 2024.
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. Banner County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.