Knox County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Knox County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.7, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Knox County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 29.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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 Knox County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 31.97 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $463K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $817K in expected annual loss and about 5.60 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Knox County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Knox County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Knox County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 31.97 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $463K |
| Hail | Medium | 5.60 / yr | $817K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.68 / yr | $183K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.90 / yr | $234K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.47 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.74 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.55 / yr | $789 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.75 / yr | $335K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.95 / yr | $123K |
| Lightning | Low | 39.34 / yr | $93K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Knox County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Knox County?
Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $463K EAL), Hail (Medium, $817K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knox County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Knox County ranks #30 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Knox County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Knox County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds, declared in July 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. Knox County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.