Harlan County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Harlan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.0, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Harlan County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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 High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 7.16 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 51.27 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.96 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harlan County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Harlan County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Harlan County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.16 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | High | 51.27 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.96 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $139K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.89 / yr | $71K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $704K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.83 / yr | $68K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.16 / yr | $48K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.63 / yr | $140K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $47 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Harlan County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (3), 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 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 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 Harlan County?
Harlan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harlan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harlan County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Harlan County ranks #27 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harlan County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Harlan County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 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. Harlan County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.