Platte County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Platte County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.6, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Platte County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 70.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Platte County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 6.31 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.38 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.55 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Platte 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Platte County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 9 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Platte County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 6.31 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.38 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.55 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | High | 14.21 / yr | $377K |
| Drought | Medium | 42.85 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.71 / yr | $616K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $107K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.32 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | Low | 43.06 / yr | $253K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.11 / yr | $208K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $12 |
| 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
Platte County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 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 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, 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 Platte County?
Platte County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Platte County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Platte County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Platte County ranks #5 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Platte County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Platte County since 1966, most often 9 for severe storm events and 8 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. Platte County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.