Cass County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Cass County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.0, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cass County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 31.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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 Cass County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 7.19 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $367K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $10K in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cass County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Cass County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Cass County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.19 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $367K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $10K |
| Drought | Medium | 12.72 / yr | $754K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $284K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.37 / yr | $667K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.27 / yr | $831K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $904K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.42 / yr | $43K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.86 / yr | $115K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Cass County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| October 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Fire | Waconda-Beaver Lake Fire Complex |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cass County?
Cass County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cass County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $367K EAL), Landslide (Low, $10K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cass County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Cass County ranks #28 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cass County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Cass County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 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. Cass County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.