Sarpy County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Sarpy County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.6, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $80M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sarpy County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 83.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $29M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 6.98 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 4.34 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $80M in expected annual loss for a population of 190K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sarpy 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.
The federal record bears this out: Sarpy County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 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, Sarpy County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.21 / yr | $29M |
| Hail | High | 6.98 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.34 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.21 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | High | 13.47 / yr | $531K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.90 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.63 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $737K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $24M |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.72 / yr | $792K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.09 / yr | $8K |
| Drought | Low | 12.06 / yr | $302K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $104K |
| 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
Sarpy County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| October 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2021 | 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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sarpy County?
Sarpy County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sarpy County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $29M EAL), Hail (High, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sarpy County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Sarpy County ranks #3 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sarpy County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Sarpy County since 1967, most often 12 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. Sarpy County's $80M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.