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

Arthur County Disaster Risk

Arthur County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#88

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% 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

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Arthur County, Nebraska

Arthur County has Nebraska's lowest risk

With a composite risk score of just 0.29, Arthur County is among the safest places in the nation and far below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Natural disaster risk is genuinely minimal across all hazard types.

Bottom of Nebraska's risk rankings

Arthur County's composite score of 0.29 is the lowest in Nebraska, reflecting exceptional safety across all natural hazard categories. Even wildfire risk (57.92)—the county's highest individual score—ranks only moderately when viewed statewide.

Safest county in a safe region

Arthur County's score of 0.29 is lower than every neighbor, including Blaine County (0.45), Banner County (0.80), and Box Butte County (20.96). The county represents the far western plains' genuinely exceptional low-risk profile.

Wildfire is only notable threat

Wildfire risk (57.92) is Arthur County's single material concern, though it remains moderate by national standards. Tornado (6.33), flood (0.51), and earthquake (1.27) risks are all negligible.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Arthur County's exceptionally low risk profile means standard homeowners coverage is adequate for most residents. If you own wooded or grassland property, verify wildfire coverage with your insurer; otherwise, Arthur County requires minimal specialized disaster protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Arthur County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    6th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    1th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Arthur County

Risk Verdict

At the 0th percentile nationally, Arthur County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 0th percentile score positions Arthur County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Arthur County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 6th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (1th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Arthur County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Arthur County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 6th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Arthur County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 25.5 points below the Nebraska state average puts Arthur County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Arthur 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 Arthur County, NE?
Arthur County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 0th 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 Arthur County?
Arthur County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (58th percentile), tornado (6th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flooding (1th 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 Arthur County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Arthur County's composite risk percentile is 0th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Arthur County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Arthur County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Arthur County's wildfire risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Arthur County is at the 1th 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 Arthur County a safe place to live?
Arthur County's composite risk score of 0th 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.