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

Chase County Disaster Risk

Chase County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

7th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#69

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Chase County, Nebraska

Chase County is Nebraska's safest region

With a composite risk score of 6.68, Chase County ranks as Very Low risk and stands among the safest counties nationwide. This exceptional rating reflects minimal exposure to significant natural disasters.

Far below state average—exceptionally protected

Chase County's 6.68 score is dramatically lower than Nebraska's 25.80 average, making it the safest county in the state by a substantial margin. Residents enjoy significantly reduced disaster exposure compared to all other Nebraska counties.

Substantially safer than surrounding counties

Chase County's 6.68 score is far lower than all adjacent counties, including Cherry County (13.58) and Brown County (2.39). Chase County's geographic position provides exceptional natural protection against multiple hazard types.

Tornado and wildfire pose minimal threats

Both tornado (25.29) and wildfire (25.10) risks are well below state averages, while flood risk (3.66) and earthquake risk (9.26) remain remarkably low. Chase County faces virtually no significant natural disaster exposure.

Standard insurance provides full protection

Chase County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance policies to address the county's minimal risk profile. The county's exceptional safety allows property owners to allocate resources toward other priorities with confidence.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Chase County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    25th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    25th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Chase County

Risk Verdict

Chase County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 7th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 7th percentile nationally, Chase County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Chase County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 25th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 25th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (9th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Chase County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 25th percentile nationally. In Chase County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 25th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Chase County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Chase County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Chase County households.

Regional Context

Compared to the Nebraska county average, Chase County's composite score runs 19.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Chase 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 Chase County, NE?
Chase County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 7th 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 Chase County?
Chase County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (25th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), flooding (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 25th 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 Chase County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Chase County's composite risk percentile is 7th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Chase County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Chase County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Chase County's tornado risk is at the 25th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Chase County is at the 4th 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 Chase County a safe place to live?
Chase County's composite risk score of 7th 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 tornado at the 25th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hitchcock County

Nebraska

+0.2

Very Low

7th percentile

Kimball County

Nebraska

+0.9

Very Low

8th percentile

Dawes County

Nebraska

-1.1

Very Low

6th 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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