Loup County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 0th
Loup County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.3, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $781K.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Loup County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 0.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 0th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $234K in expected annual loss and about 5.74 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $48K in expected annual loss and about 33.81 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $20K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $781K in expected annual loss for a population of 593.
Beyond physical exposure, Loup County has a very 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: Loup County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 8 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, Loup County ranks #89 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 5.74 / yr | $234K |
| Drought | Low | 33.81 / yr | $48K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 15.53 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.52 / yr | $46 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $90K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.81 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 6.00 / yr | $21K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.26 / yr | $8K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.99 / yr | $9K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $269K |
| 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
Loup County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), 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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| July 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Loup County?
Loup County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 0th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Loup County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $234K EAL), Drought (Low, $48K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $20K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Loup County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Loup County ranks #89 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Loup County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Loup County since 2005, most often 8 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. Loup County's $781K EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.