Fillmore County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Fillmore County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.1, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Fillmore County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 20.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th 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.
Most of Fillmore County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 7.97 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 28.42 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 4.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fillmore County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Fillmore County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Fillmore County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.97 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 28.42 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.61 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.76 / yr | $183K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.89 / yr | $81K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.03 / yr | $109K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.11 / yr | $32K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $97K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $3 |
| 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
Fillmore County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2021 | 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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
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 Fillmore County?
Fillmore County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fillmore County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fillmore County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Fillmore County ranks #51 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fillmore County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Fillmore County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in October 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. Fillmore County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.