Blaine County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 0th
Blaine County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.4, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $695K.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Blaine County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 0.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 0th 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 Blaine County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $46K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $65K in expected annual loss and about 43.51 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $150K in expected annual loss and about 5.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $695K in expected annual loss for a population of 431.
Beyond physical exposure, Blaine County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Blaine County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 2001, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Blaine County ranks #86 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $46K |
| Drought | Low | 43.51 / yr | $65K |
| Hail | Low | 5.82 / yr | $150K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 16.47 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $61K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.65 / yr | $21 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.85 / yr | $40K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 5.95 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.84 / yr | $5K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $293K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.34 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Blaine County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 2001, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Biological (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Blaine County?
Blaine County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 0th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Blaine County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $46K EAL), Drought (Low, $65K EAL), Hail (Low, $150K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Blaine County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Blaine County ranks #86 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Blaine County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Blaine County since 2001, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Blaine County's $695K EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.