Wheeler County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Wheeler County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.5, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wheeler County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 5.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.86 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $128K in expected annual loss and about 32.15 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $36K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 774.
Beyond physical exposure, Wheeler County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Wheeler County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Wheeler County ranks #71 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.86 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 32.15 / yr | $128K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.23 / yr | $429K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 14.84 / yr | $19K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $181K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 6.26 / yr | $70K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.74 / yr | $8K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $7 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.27 / yr | $13K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $416K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Wheeler County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Flood (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 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| July 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wheeler County?
Wheeler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wheeler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Low, $128K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $36K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wheeler County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Wheeler County ranks #71 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wheeler County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Wheeler County since 2005, most often 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Wheeler County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.