Dixon County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Dixon County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.8, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dixon County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 8.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.29 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $885K in expected annual loss and about 35.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dixon County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Dixon County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Dixon County ranks #66 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 6.29 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.24 / yr | $12K |
| Drought | Medium | 35.95 / yr | $885K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $199K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.39 / yr | $956K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.99 / yr | $58K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.58 / yr | $199K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.00 / yr | $34K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.84 / yr | $271K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 6.16 / yr | $248K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.56 / yr | $35K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Dixon County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| August 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Winter Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dixon County?
Dixon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dixon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Drought (Medium, $885K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dixon County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Dixon County ranks #66 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dixon County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Dixon County since 1967, most often 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds, declared in July 2022.
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. Dixon County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.