Richardson County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Richardson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.8, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Richardson County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.8 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $812K in expected annual loss and about 9.70 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $139K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $154K in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richardson County has a low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Richardson County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Richardson County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 9.70 / yr | $812K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $139K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $154K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.42 / yr | $443K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 7.13 / yr | $257K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.44 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $442K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.57 / yr | $243K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.95 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.30 / yr | $62K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.14 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Richardson County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 Richardson County?
Richardson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.8 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 Richardson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $812K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $139K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $154K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richardson County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Richardson County ranks #59 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richardson County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Richardson County since 1967, most often 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2024.
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. Richardson County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.