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

Blaine County Disaster Risk

Blaine County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#86

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Blaine County, Nebraska

Blaine County poses minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 0.45, Blaine County ranks as very low nationally and significantly below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Natural hazards are extremely limited across all threat types.

Third-lowest risk in Nebraska

Blaine County's score of 0.45 ranks it among the state's safest counties, surpassed only by Arthur County (0.29) and Banner County (0.80). The county's balanced, minimal hazard profile is exemplary.

Safe as its northwestern peers

Blaine County's score of 0.45 is comparable to Arthur County (0.29) and Banner County (0.80), and substantially lower than Box Butte County (20.96). Northwestern Nebraska remains one of the nation's lowest-risk regions.

Wildfire is the only material risk

Wildfire (50.76) is Blaine County's dominant hazard, though still moderate nationally. Tornado (10.18), flood (1.59), and earthquake (2.35) risks are all negligible.

Standard insurance covers Blaine County

Blaine County's exceptionally low natural disaster risk means standard homeowners coverage provides adequate protection. Verify your policy includes wildfire coverage if you manage grassland or timberland; otherwise, minimal specialized disaster insurance is necessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Blaine County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    10th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    2th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Blaine County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Blaine County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 0th percentile. At the 0th percentile nationally, Blaine County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Blaine County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 10th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (2th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 51th percentile nationally for wildfire, Blaine County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's tornado exposure at the 10th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Blaine County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Blaine County is 25.4 composite risk points below the Nebraska state mean, meaning most other Nebraska counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Blaine 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 Blaine County, NE?
Blaine 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 Blaine County?
Blaine County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (51th percentile), tornado (10th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 51th 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 Blaine County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Blaine 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 Blaine County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Blaine County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Blaine County's wildfire risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Blaine County is at the 2th 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 Blaine County a safe place to live?
Blaine 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 51th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hooker County

Nebraska

-0.1

Very Low

0th percentile

Arthur County

Nebraska

-0.2

Very Low

0th percentile

Loup County

Nebraska

-0.2

Very Low

0th 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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