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

Colfax County Disaster Risk

Colfax County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Colfax County, Nebraska

Colfax County's Low Risk Profile

Colfax County has a composite risk score of 28.63 and a Very Low rating, placing it near the national average for natural disaster exposure. While wildfire (57.06) and tornado (55.98) risks are notable, the overall profile suggests relatively manageable disaster risk.

Moderately Safe in Nebraska

Colfax County's score of 28.63 is slightly above Nebraska's state average of 25.80, but remains among the safer counties statewide. The county's composite score masks significant tornado and wildfire threats concentrated in particular risk categories.

Balanced Compared to Regional Peers

Colfax County (28.63) ranks safer than Clay County (56.04) and similarly to Cheyenne County (27.80), indicating variable risk across the region. Its tornado and wildfire scores are elevated relative to regional neighbors, though flood risk remains low.

Wildfire and Tornado Focus Areas

Wildfire risk (57.06) and tornado risk (55.98) represent the primary hazards facing Colfax County residents, both well above state averages. Flood risk is minimal (31.77), allowing residents to concentrate preparation efforts on convective storms and fire season readiness.

Prepare for Wind and Fire Threats

Colfax County residents should secure comprehensive windstorm and fire insurance, as these hazards dominate the county's risk landscape. Maintaining a fire-resistant perimeter around your property and installing storm-resistant features can meaningfully reduce vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Colfax County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    32th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Colfax County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Colfax County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 29th percentile. At the 29th percentile, Colfax 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 Colfax County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (32th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 57th percentile nationally for wildfire, Colfax 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 56th percentile nationally means Colfax County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Colfax County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Colfax County's composite risk score is within 2.8 points of the Nebraska county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Colfax 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 Colfax County, NE?
Colfax County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Colfax County?
Colfax County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 57th 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 Colfax County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Colfax County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Colfax County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Colfax County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Colfax County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Colfax County is at the 32th 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.
Why is Colfax County higher risk than average?
Colfax County's composite risk score of 29th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (57th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Saunders County

Nebraska

+0.5

Very Low

29th percentile

Custer County

Nebraska

-0.6

Very Low

28th percentile

Morrill County

Nebraska

-0.8

Very Low

28th 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.

Explore more data for Colfax County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score