Custer County
Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Custer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.0, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.58 / yr | $285K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $629K |
| Drought | Medium | 42.88 / yr | $808K |
| Hail | Low | 6.59 / yr | $496K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.11 / yr | $121K |
| Tornado | Low | 1.55 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 2.09 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.18 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.58 / yr | $146K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.32 / yr | $83K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.52 / yr | $218K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 5.74 / yr | $211K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Custer County?
Custer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.0 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 Custer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $285K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $629K EAL), Drought (Medium, $808K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Custer County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Custer County ranks #33 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Custer County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.