Cedar County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Cedar County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.7, 22th 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 Cedar County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 21.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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 Cedar County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 35.23 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.00 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $229K 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 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cedar County has a very 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: Cedar County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Cedar County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 35.23 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $229K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.79 / yr | $100K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.95 / yr | $103K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.57 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.46 / yr | $490K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.95 / yr | $189K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.74 / yr | $442K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.17 / yr | $72K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Cedar County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | 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 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cedar County?
Cedar County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cedar County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $229K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cedar County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Cedar County ranks #46 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cedar County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Cedar County since 1967, most often 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds, declared in July 2022.
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. Cedar County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.