Otoe County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Otoe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.0, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Otoe County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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 Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 7.33 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $235K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $684K in expected annual loss and about 13.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Otoe County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Otoe County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Otoe County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.33 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $235K |
| Drought | Medium | 13.58 / yr | $684K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.89 / yr | $205K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.58 / yr | $660K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.53 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.32 / yr | $863K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.63 / yr | $664K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 13.79 / yr | $36K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.17 / yr | $119K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.96 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| 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
Otoe County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornado, and Straight-Lin |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Otoe County?
Otoe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Otoe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $235K EAL), Drought (Medium, $684K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Otoe County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Otoe County ranks #53 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Otoe County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Otoe County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 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. Otoe County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.