Gage County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Gage County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.6, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Gage County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 7.97 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.59 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $438K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gage 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.
History supports the rating: Gage County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Gage County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.97 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.59 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $438K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $432K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.37 / yr | $221K |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.72 / yr | $650K |
| Drought | Low | 15.29 / yr | $424K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.00 / yr | $418K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $491 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.32 / yr | $203K |
| 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
Gage County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gage County?
Gage County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gage County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $438K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gage County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Gage County ranks #22 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gage County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Gage County since 1967, most often 12 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in February 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. Gage County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.