Kimball County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Kimball County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.6, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kimball County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 7.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th 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.
Most of Kimball County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $846K in expected annual loss and about 6.21 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $785K in expected annual loss and about 78.42 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $211K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kimball County has a medium 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: Kimball County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1997, including 4 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Kimball County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 6.21 / yr | $846K |
| Drought | Medium | 78.42 / yr | $785K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $211K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $58K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.90 / yr | $37K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $45K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.81 / yr | $302K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.26 / yr | $73K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.58 / yr | $232K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $112K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.04 / yr | $930K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $8 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Kimball County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1997, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm 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 |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| November 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Snow Storms, Rain, and Strong Winds |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kimball County?
Kimball County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kimball County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $846K EAL), Drought (Medium, $785K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $211K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kimball County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Kimball County ranks #67 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kimball County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Kimball County since 1997, most often 4 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 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. Kimball County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.