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 Advisory: Colfax County

Risk Verdict

Colfax County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 29th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Colfax County, scoring in the 57th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 56th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (32th), earthquake (12th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Colfax County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Colfax County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Nebraska. Its composite risk score is within 2.8 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Nebraska as a whole.

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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.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.