Lancaster County
Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.