Colfax County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Colfax County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.6, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Colfax County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 28.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.80 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $750K in expected annual loss and about 41.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Colfax County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Colfax County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 9 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Colfax County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 6.80 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 41.00 / yr | $750K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.05 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $95K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.34 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.68 / yr | $112K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.79 / yr | $75K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.42 / yr | $852K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $234 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.37 / yr | $92K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.04 / yr | $58K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| 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
Colfax County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and 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 Colfax County?
Colfax County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Colfax County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $750K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Colfax County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Colfax County ranks #32 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Colfax County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Colfax County since 1966, most often 9 for flood events and 6 for severe storm 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. Colfax County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.