Lancaster County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Lancaster County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.7, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $115M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lancaster County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 90.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 91st national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 4.48 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 7.78 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $42M in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $115M in expected annual loss for a population of 322K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lancaster County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Lancaster County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Lancaster County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 4.48 / yr | $12M |
| Hail | High | 7.78 / yr | $12M |
| Tornado | High | 0.78 / yr | $42M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 13.53 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 45.87 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.88 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.43 / yr | $34M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.84 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.26 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 17.22 / yr | $653K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $203K |
| 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
Lancaster County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| October 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 |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lancaster County?
Lancaster County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lancaster County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $12M EAL), Hail (High, $12M EAL), Tornado (High, $42M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lancaster County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Lancaster County ranks #2 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lancaster County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Lancaster County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in October 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. Lancaster County's $115M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.