Boyd County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Boyd County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.4, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Boyd County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 3.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $883K in expected annual loss and about 36.86 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $73K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $777K in expected annual loss and about 6.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boyd 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: Boyd County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Boyd County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 36.86 / yr | $883K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $73K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.63 / yr | $777K |
| Hail | Low | 4.96 / yr | $211K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.05 / yr | $42K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $42K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $179K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $64 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.29 / yr | $80K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.32 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.02 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Boyd County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Boyd County?
Boyd County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Boyd County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $883K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $73K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $777K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boyd County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Boyd County ranks #76 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boyd County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Boyd County since 1967, most often 7 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 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. Boyd County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.