Box Butte County Disaster Risk
Box Butte County, Nebraska
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
21th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#48
of 93 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
6th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Box Butte County, Nebraska
Box Butte County sits below national average
With a composite risk score of 20.96, Box Butte County rates as very low nationally and below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Wildfire and earthquake risks are the notable features of an otherwise low-threat profile.
Moderate wildfire, elevated earthquake risk
Box Butte County's wildfire risk (61.32) ranks it among Nebraska's highest, while earthquake risk (32.57) is the state's most significant. Together, these hazards elevate the county's profile despite low tornado and flood risks.
Higher risk than western neighbors
Box Butte County's score of 20.96 exceeds Arthur County (0.29), Banner County (0.80), and Blaine County (0.45), reflecting its location in a more active seismic and wildfire zone. It remains substantially lower than central county risks like Boone (43.35) and Adams (64.31).
Wildfire and earthquakes lead hazards
Wildfire risk (61.32) is Box Butte County's dominant threat, complemented by elevated earthquake risk (32.57)—the highest in Nebraska. Tornado (31.11) and flood (5.85) risks are relatively minor.
Address wildfire and seismic coverage
Standard homeowners policies often exclude wildfire; verify your coverage or add a rider if your property is near grassland or timber. Earthquake insurance is separate from standard homeowners coverage and recommended given Box Butte County's statewide-high seismic activity.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Box Butte County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Box Butte County
Risk Verdict
Box Butte County's overall natural disaster score at the 21th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 21th percentile, Box Butte County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Box Butte County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (31th percentile), flood (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 61th percentile nationally, Box Butte County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Box Butte County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 33th percentile nationally means Box Butte County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Box Butte County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Box Butte County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Box Butte County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Nebraska county average, with a 4.8-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Box Butte County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Box Butte County, NE?
What types of natural hazards affect Box Butte County?
How does Box Butte County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Is Box Butte County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Box Butte County a safe place to live?
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.