Johnson County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Johnson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.6, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Johnson County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 4.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $469K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $379K in expected annual loss and about 7.61 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $158K in expected annual loss and about 13.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Johnson County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Johnson County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 11 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Johnson County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $469K |
| Hail | Low | 7.61 / yr | $379K |
| Drought | Low | 13.40 / yr | $158K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.89 / yr | $82K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.47 / yr | $50K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 8.11 / yr | $193K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $426 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $675K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 4.35 / yr | $204K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.42 / yr | $230K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.51 / yr | $58K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Johnson County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornado, and Straight-Lin |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Johnson County?
Johnson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Johnson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $469K EAL), Hail (Low, $379K EAL), Drought (Low, $158K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Johnson County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Johnson County ranks #72 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Johnson County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Johnson County since 1967, most often 11 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 2025.
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. Johnson County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.