Furnas County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Furnas County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.9, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Furnas County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 51.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 7.28 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.77 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 69.83 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Furnas County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Furnas County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Road 702 Fire (fire), declared in April 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Furnas County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.28 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.77 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 69.83 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 13.05 / yr | $85K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.27 / yr | $86K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.55 / yr | $602K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.74 / yr | $64K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $210K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.75 / yr | $58K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $47 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Furnas County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Road 702 Fire in April 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2022 | Fire | Road 702 Fire |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Furnas County?
Furnas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Furnas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Furnas County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Furnas County ranks #16 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Furnas County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Furnas County since 1967, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Road 702 Fire, declared in April 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. Furnas County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.