riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Antelope County Disaster Risk

Antelope County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

11th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Antelope County, Nebraska

Antelope County sits well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 19.47, Antelope County rates as very low nationally and slightly below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Wildfire risk (58.08) is the notable outlier, while other hazards remain minimal.

Moderate wildfire risk for Nebraska

Antelope County's wildfire score of 58.08 ranks it in the upper range for Nebraska, despite the county's overall very low composite rating. Tornadoes (43.83) pose a moderate secondary threat, positioning the county in the middle of state tornado rankings.

Less risky than Adams, comparable to Arthur

Antelope County's composite score of 19.47 is substantially lower than Adams County (64.31) but similar to nearby Arthur County (0.29) and Box Butte County (20.96). The county's wildfire risk remains its distinguishing feature in the region.

Wildfires and tornadoes lead the list

Wildfire risk (58.08) is Antelope County's primary hazard, followed by tornado risk (43.83)—both above the national median. Flooding (11.36), earthquakes (13.84), and other threats remain well-controlled.

Focus on wildfire and wind coverage

Standard homeowners insurance should cover tornado damage, but verify your wildfire exclusions and consider riders if you're in a wooded area or near grasslands. Ensure your policy includes wind and hail protection, which frequently accompany Antelope County's tornado activity.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Antelope County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    44th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    14th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Antelope County

Risk Verdict

Antelope County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 19th percentile nationally. Residents of Antelope County can use the 19th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Antelope County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (14th percentile), flood (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Antelope County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 58th percentile nationally. Antelope County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's tornado exposure at the 44th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Antelope County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Nebraska county average exceeds Antelope County's score by 6.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Antelope County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Antelope County, NE?
Antelope County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Antelope County?
Antelope County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (58th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), flooding (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 58th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Antelope County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Antelope County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Antelope County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Antelope County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Antelope County's wildfire risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Antelope County is at the 11th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Antelope County a safe place to live?
Antelope County's composite risk score of 19th percentile is below the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.