Gosper County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Gosper County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.8, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Gosper County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 9.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 52.93 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $771K in expected annual loss and about 3.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gosper 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.
History supports the rating: Gosper County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 6 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Gosper County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.01 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 52.93 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.51 / yr | $771K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.68 / yr | $59K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $27K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $315K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.74 / yr | $61K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $38 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.95 / yr | $88K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $489K |
| 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
Gosper County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| January 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
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 Gosper County?
Gosper County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gosper County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $771K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gosper County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Gosper County ranks #65 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gosper County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Gosper County since 1967, most often 6 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Gosper County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.