Pierce County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Pierce County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.2, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pierce County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 14.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th 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 Pierce County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.83 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $852K in expected annual loss and about 34.95 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $200K 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 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pierce 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: Pierce County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Pierce County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.83 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 34.95 / yr | $852K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $200K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.26 / yr | $104K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.97 / yr | $136K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.40 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.04 / yr | $473K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $187 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 6.26 / yr | $318K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $58K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.67 / yr | $62K |
| 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
Pierce County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | 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 |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Pierce County?
Pierce County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pierce County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $852K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $200K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pierce County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Pierce County ranks #56 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pierce County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Pierce County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds, declared in July 2022.
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. Pierce County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.