Cuming County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Cuming County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.3, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cuming County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Cuming County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 6.49 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 40.83 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $721K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cuming County has a medium 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Cuming County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 11 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, Cuming County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 6.49 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 40.83 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $721K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.04 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $121K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.05 / yr | $988K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.05 / yr | $254K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.74 / yr | $33K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.03 / yr | $66K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| 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
Cuming County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| August 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cuming County?
Cuming County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cuming County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $721K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cuming County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Cuming County ranks #12 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cuming County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Cuming County since 1967, most often 11 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. Cuming County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.