Sherman County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Sherman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.4, 22th 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 Sherman County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 22.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 6.77 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 34.36 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $149K 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 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sherman County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Sherman County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 7 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (tornado), declared in May 2024.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Sherman County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 6.77 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 34.36 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $149K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.17 / yr | $878K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.95 / yr | $87K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $60K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $379K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $134 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.26 / yr | $40K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.95 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.67 / yr | $31K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Sherman County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Winter Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| 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 Sherman County?
Sherman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sherman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $149K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sherman County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Sherman County ranks #45 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sherman County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Sherman County since 1966, most often 7 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in May 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. Sherman County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.