Grant County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 0th
Grant County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.2, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $647K.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Grant County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 0.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 0th 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 Grant County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $129K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $45K in expected annual loss and about 58.75 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $212 in expected annual loss and about 0.86 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $647K in expected annual loss for a population of 610.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Grant County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 2 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Wildfires (fire), declared in June 2026.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Grant County ranks #90 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $129K |
| Drought | Low | 58.75 / yr | $45K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $212 |
| Hail | Very Low | 5.08 / yr | $58K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 16.05 / yr | $10K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 5.89 / yr | $68K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.56 / yr | $29K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $39K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $1K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.57 / yr | $13K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $250K |
| 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
Grant County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Wildfires in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Fire (2), Biological (2), Severe Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2026 | Fire | Morrill-Cottonwood Fire |
| 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 0th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $129K EAL), Drought (Low, $45K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $212 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Grant County ranks #90 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 2005, most often 2 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Wildfires, declared in June 2026.
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. Grant County's $647K EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.