Hayes County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Hayes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.2, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hayes County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 1.2 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $536K in expected annual loss and about 8.03 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $259K in expected annual loss and about 91.17 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $334K in expected annual loss and about 3.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 856.
Beyond physical exposure, Hayes 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: Hayes County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Hayes County ranks #83 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 8.03 / yr | $536K |
| Drought | Low | 91.17 / yr | $259K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.68 / yr | $334K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $15K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 13.68 / yr | $13K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $128K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.00 / yr | $43K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.11 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $12 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.07 / yr | $11K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $344K |
| 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
Hayes County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hayes County?
Hayes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.2 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 Hayes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $536K EAL), Drought (Low, $259K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $334K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hayes County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Hayes County ranks #83 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hayes County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Hayes County since 1967, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in August 2024.
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. Hayes County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.