Wayne County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
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
Risk Overview
Wayne County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 14.0 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.09 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $988K in expected annual loss and about 37.90 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $925K in expected annual loss and about 4.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wayne 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Wayne County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Wayne County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Wayne County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Winter Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Wayne County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Wayne County since 1967, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds, declared in July 2022.
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.