Brown County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Brown County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.4, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Brown County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $548K in expected annual loss and about 42.12 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $489K in expected annual loss and about 5.03 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $92K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Brown 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 federal record bears this out: Brown County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 6 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, Brown County ranks #78 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 42.12 / yr | $548K |
| Hail | Low | 5.03 / yr | $489K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $92K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.32 / yr | $49K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.63 / yr | $550K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $144 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $267K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $12K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.71 / yr | $138K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.00 / yr | $35K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.09 / yr | $27K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $498K |
| 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
Brown County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| 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 |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Brown County?
Brown County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brown County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $548K EAL), Hail (Low, $489K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $92K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brown County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Brown County ranks #78 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Brown County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Brown County since 1967, most often 6 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. Brown County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.