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

Brown County Disaster Risk

Brown County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#78

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 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Brown County, Nebraska

Brown County's disaster risk is exceptionally low

With a composite risk score of 2.39, Brown County ranks as Very Low risk—well below the national average. This exceptional safety profile means residents face minimal exposure to major natural hazards compared to most American counties.

Safest county in Nebraska by far

Brown County's composite score of 2.39 is dramatically lower than Nebraska's state average of 25.80, making it the safest county in the state. This protective position reflects the county's geographic isolation from major flood zones and tornado corridors.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Brown County's risk score of 2.39 is substantially lower than nearby Cherry County (13.58) and Cedar County (21.69). The county benefits from a unique geographic position that shields it from hazards affecting neighboring communities.

Wildfire presents the primary concern

Wildfire risk at 58.49 is Brown County's most significant hazard, though still manageable with basic preparedness. Tornado risk (19.34) and earthquake risk (10.91) remain secondary concerns that warrant standard home safety planning.

Standard coverage provides adequate protection

While Brown County's overall risk is exceptionally low, homeowners should maintain comprehensive property insurance including windstorm coverage for wildfires. Standard homeowners policies typically provide sufficient protection given the county's favorable risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Brown County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    19th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    11th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Brown County

Risk Verdict

Brown County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 2th percentile nationally. At the 2th percentile, Brown County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Brown County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (11th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Brown County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 58th percentile nationally. Brown County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 19th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Brown County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Nebraska county average exceeds Brown County's score by 23.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Brown 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 Brown County, NE?
Brown County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Brown County?
Brown County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (58th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile), flooding (2th 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 Brown County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Brown County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Brown County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Brown County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Brown County's wildfire risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Brown 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 Brown County a safe place to live?
Brown County's composite risk score of 2th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dundy County

Nebraska

-0.2

Very Low

2th percentile

Garden County

Nebraska

+0.4

Very Low

3th percentile

Keya Paha County

Nebraska

-0.9

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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