Cheyenne County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Cheyenne County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.8, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cheyenne County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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 High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 80.12 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.07 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $771K in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cheyenne 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.
History supports the rating: Cheyenne County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1997, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Cheyenne County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 80.12 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.07 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.12 / yr | $771K |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.46 / yr | $488K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.95 / yr | $94K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.89 / yr | $753K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.90 / yr | $879K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.78 / yr | $448K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $52K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $32 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Cheyenne County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1997, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm 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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| November 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Snow Storms, Rain, and Strong Winds |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cheyenne County?
Cheyenne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cheyenne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $771K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cheyenne County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Cheyenne County ranks #34 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cheyenne County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Cheyenne County since 1997, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 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. Cheyenne County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.