Morrill County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Morrill County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.8, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Morrill County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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 Morrill County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 83.14 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.53 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $98K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Morrill County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 federal record bears this out: Morrill County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 2001, including 10 for severe storm events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Wildfires (fire), declared in June 2026.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Morrill County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 83.14 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.53 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $98K |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.01 / yr | $298K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.03 / yr | $78K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.68 / yr | $51K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.84 / yr | $682K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $322K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.53 / yr | $132K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $37 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Morrill County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 2001, most recently Wildfires in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Fire (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2026 | Fire | Morrill-Cottonwood Fire |
| 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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Morrill County?
Morrill County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Morrill County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $98K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Morrill County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Morrill County ranks #35 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Morrill County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Morrill County since 2001, most often 10 for severe storm events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Wildfires, declared in June 2026.
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. Morrill County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.