Nemaha County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Nemaha County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.4, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Nemaha County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 13.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $703K in expected annual loss and about 11.48 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $6K in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $124K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nemaha County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Nemaha County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Nemaha County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 11.48 / yr | $703K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.09 / yr | $6K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $124K |
| Hail | Low | 7.17 / yr | $335K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.37 / yr | $391K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.94 / yr | $46K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $371K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.37 / yr | $239K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 12.05 / yr | $16K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.57 / yr | $53K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.21 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Nemaha County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nemaha County?
Nemaha County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nemaha County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $703K EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $124K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nemaha County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Nemaha County ranks #62 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nemaha County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Nemaha County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 7 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. Nemaha County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.