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

Banner County Disaster Risk

Banner County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#84

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

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Banner County, Nebraska

Banner County is one of the safest

With a composite risk score of 0.80, Banner County ranks as very low nationally and well below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Natural disaster risk is exceptionally mild across all hazard categories.

Second-lowest composite risk in state

Banner County's score of 0.80 places it among Nebraska's safest counties, just slightly above Arthur County (0.29). The county's hazard profile is balanced and minimal across the board.

Safe corner of northwestern Nebraska

Banner County's score of 0.80 is lower than Box Butte County (20.96) and comparable to Arthur County (0.29) and Blaine County (0.45). The region consistently demonstrates exceptionally low natural disaster risk.

Wildfire is the primary consideration

Wildfire risk (42.14) is Banner County's most notable hazard, though still moderate nationally. Tornado (7.57), flood (0.89), and earthquake (3.12) risks remain negligible.

Basic coverage meets your needs

Banner County's minimal natural disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance is sufficient for most properties. Landowners with significant vegetation should confirm wildfire coverage is included; otherwise, Banner County residents face genuinely low protection costs.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Banner County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    8th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    3th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Banner County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Banner County ranks at the 1th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Being ranked at the 1th percentile nationally is an advantage for Banner County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Banner County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 42th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 8th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (3th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Banner County sits at the 42th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Banner County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary tornado exposure at the 8th percentile nationally means Banner County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Banner County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 25.0 points below the Nebraska state average, Banner County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Banner 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 Banner County, NE?
Banner County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Banner County?
Banner County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (42th percentile), tornado (8th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 42th 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 Banner County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Banner County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Banner County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Banner County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Banner County's wildfire risk is at the 42th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Banner 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 Banner County a safe place to live?
Banner County's composite risk score of 1th 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 42th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Rock County

Nebraska

-0.1

Very Low

1th percentile

Blaine County

Nebraska

-0.3

Very Low

0th percentile

Hayes County

Nebraska

+0.4

Very Low

1th percentile

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.

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