Burt County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Burt County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.7, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Burt County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 20.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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 — $1M in expected annual loss and about 37.73 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.54 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $409K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Burt County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Burt County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Burt County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 37.73 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.54 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $409K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.39 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.40 / yr | $498K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.05 / yr | $746K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.00 / yr | $168K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.74 / yr | $36K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 14.74 / yr | $7K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.72 / yr | $26K |
| 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
Burt County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Burt County?
Burt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Burt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $409K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burt County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Burt County ranks #49 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Burt County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Burt County since 1967, most often 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in October 2025.
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. Burt County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.