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

Boyd County Disaster Risk

Boyd County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#76

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 52% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% 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 Boyd County, Nebraska

Boyd County has exceptionally low risk

With a composite risk score of 3.40, Boyd County ranks as very low nationally and significantly below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Natural disaster threats are genuinely minimal across all hazard categories.

Among Nebraska's safest counties

Boyd County's composite score of 3.40 is the fourth-lowest in Nebraska, with only Arthur County (0.29), Banner County (0.80), and Blaine County (0.45) rating lower. The county benefits from a balanced, minimal hazard profile.

Safe corner of northeastern Nebraska

Boyd County's score of 3.40 is lower than most statewide peers and substantially below higher-risk counties like Antelope (19.47) and Box Butte (20.96). Northeastern Nebraska's risk profile is genuinely favorable.

Wildfire is the only notable threat

Wildfire risk (52.35) is Boyd County's primary hazard, though still moderate nationally. Tornado (14.38), flood (6.04), and earthquake (3.40) risks all remain negligible.

Standard coverage protects Boyd County

Boyd County's exceptionally low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance is sufficient for most residents. Confirm wildfire exclusions with your insurer if you own wooded or grassland property; otherwise, Boyd 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 Boyd County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    52th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    14th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    6th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Boyd County

Risk Verdict

Boyd County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 3th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Boyd County's favorable 3th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Boyd County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 52th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 14th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (6th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Boyd County's primary hazard at the 52th percentile nationally. For Boyd County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's tornado exposure at the 14th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Boyd County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Nebraska county average, Boyd County's composite score runs 22.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Boyd 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 Boyd County, NE?
Boyd County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Boyd County?
Boyd County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (52th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), flooding (6th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 52th 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 Boyd County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Boyd County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Boyd County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Boyd County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Boyd County's wildfire risk is at the 52th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Boyd County is at the 6th 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 Boyd County a safe place to live?
Boyd County's composite risk score of 3th 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 52th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pawnee County

Nebraska

+0.4

Very Low

4th percentile

Garden County

Nebraska

-0.6

Very Low

3th percentile

Deuel County

Nebraska

+0.6

Very Low

4th 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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