Nuckolls County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Nuckolls County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.5, 22th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Nuckolls County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 22.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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 High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.74 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 28.49 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nuckolls County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Nuckolls County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Nuckolls County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.74 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 28.49 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.57 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $212K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.42 / yr | $74K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.65 / yr | $209K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $881K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.68 / yr | $86K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $25 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $43K |
| 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
Nuckolls County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), 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 |
| 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 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nuckolls County?
Nuckolls County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nuckolls County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nuckolls County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Nuckolls County ranks #44 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nuckolls County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Nuckolls County since 1973, most often 9 for severe storm events and 6 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. Nuckolls County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.