Webster County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Webster County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.5, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Webster County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 55.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 — $7M in expected annual loss and about 7.51 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 36.03 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Webster County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Webster County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Webster County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.51 / yr | $7M |
| Drought | High | 36.03 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.46 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.36 / yr | $495K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.66 / yr | $131K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.68 / yr | $70K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.59 / yr | $709K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.05 / yr | $61K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $21 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.68 / yr | $30K |
| 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
Webster County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (3), 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 |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Webster County?
Webster County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Webster County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $7M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Webster County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Webster County ranks #14 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Webster County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Webster County since 1973, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 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. Webster County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.