Hall County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Hall County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.2, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hall County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 74.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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 — $7M in expected annual loss and about 7.01 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $902K in expected annual loss and about 14.26 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 45.86 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $38M in expected annual loss for a population of 63K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hall County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hall County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in September 2021.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Hall County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.01 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | High | 14.26 / yr | $902K |
| Drought | High | 45.86 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.96 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.58 / yr | $793K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $15M |
| Lightning | Medium | 42.90 / yr | $480K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $58K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $525K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.26 / yr | $53K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $14 |
| 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
Hall County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
| June 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hall County?
Hall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $7M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $902K EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hall County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Hall County ranks #4 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hall County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Hall County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds, declared in September 2021.
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. Hall County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.