Seward County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Seward County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.9, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Seward County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 Seward County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.84 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $331K 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 — $323K in expected annual loss and about 0.77 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Seward 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: Seward County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 8 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Seward County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.84 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $331K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $323K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.50 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 28.74 / yr | $631K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.32 / yr | $145K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.55 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.29 / yr | $107K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.95 / yr | $82K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.11 / yr | $187K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $52 |
| 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
Seward County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm 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 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2014 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Seward County?
Seward County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Seward County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $331K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $323K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Seward County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Seward County ranks #40 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Seward County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Seward County since 1967, most often 8 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in October 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. Seward County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.