Dakota County
Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Dakota County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.0, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 6.21 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $343K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 46.49 / yr | $686K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $9K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.97 / yr | $167K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.58 / yr | $590K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.63 / yr | $67K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.03 / yr | $563K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.42 / yr | $397K |
| Lightning | Low | 41.76 / yr | $91K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dakota County?
Dakota County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dakota County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $343K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dakota County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Dakota County ranks #25 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. Dakota County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.