Garfield County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Garfield County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.3, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $1M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Garfield County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $46K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $73K in expected annual loss and about 31.04 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $162K in expected annual loss and about 5.78 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $1M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Garfield County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Garfield County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1994, including 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Garfield County ranks #82 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $46K |
| Drought | Low | 31.04 / yr | $73K |
| Hail | Low | 5.78 / yr | $162K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.47 / yr | $35K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $20K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $191K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.95 / yr | $146K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.35 / yr | $56K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $54 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 6.26 / yr | $94K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.47 / yr | $10K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $609K |
| 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
Garfield County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1994, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Snowstorm (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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Garfield County?
Garfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Garfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $46K EAL), Drought (Low, $73K EAL), Hail (Low, $162K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Garfield County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Garfield County ranks #82 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Garfield County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Garfield County since 1994, most often 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Garfield County's $1M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.