Wayne County
Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Wayne County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.0, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 6.09 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 37.90 / yr | $988K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.53 / yr | $925K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $121K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.99 / yr | $164K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $883 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.95 / yr | $53K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.52 / yr | $476K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.68 / yr | $553K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.48 / yr | $55K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.0 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 Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $988K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $925K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Wayne County ranks #57 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Wayne County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.