Keya Paha County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Keya Paha County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.5, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $1M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Keya Paha County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 1.5 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $65K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $82K in expected annual loss and about 36.86 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $358K in expected annual loss and about 6.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $1M in expected annual loss for a population of 757.
Beyond physical exposure, Keya Paha County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Keya Paha County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Keya Paha County ranks #80 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Drought | Low | 36.86 / yr | $82K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.79 / yr | $358K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.42 / yr | $23K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.30 / yr | $82K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.04 / yr | $70K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $73K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $26 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.16 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.36 / yr | $8K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $256K |
| 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
Keya Paha County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| July 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Keya Paha County?
Keya Paha County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.5 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 Keya Paha County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $65K EAL), Drought (Low, $82K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $358K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Keya Paha County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Keya Paha County ranks #80 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Keya Paha County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Keya Paha County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Keya Paha County's $1M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.