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

Dakota County Disaster Risk

Dakota County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

34th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dakota County, Nebraska

Dakota County's Moderate Risk Profile

Dakota County has a composite risk score of 36.01 and a Very Low rating, slightly exceeding the national average for natural disaster risk. The county experiences significant tornado (75.57) and wildfire (78.05) exposure that drives its score above regional baseline.

Elevated Compared to Nebraska Average

At 36.01, Dakota County's composite risk score is about 40% higher than Nebraska's state average of 25.80, reflecting above-average hazard exposure. Tornado risk (75.57) stands well above statewide norms, indicating vulnerability to severe convective storms.

Riskier Than Most Regional Peers

Dakota County (36.01) faces higher composite risk than Colfax County (28.63) and Cheyenne County (27.80), primarily due to its severe tornado exposure. Its wildfire risk (78.05) aligns with the elevated exposure seen across northeastern Nebraska.

Tornado and Wildfire Dominate

Tornado risk (75.57) is Dakota County's most severe hazard, while wildfire risk (78.05) presents a close second threat. Together, these two hazards account for the county's elevated composite risk, with tornado exposure being one of the highest in the state.

Strong Storm and Fire Preparation

Dakota County residents should prioritize comprehensive windstorm and fire insurance, given the county's dual high-risk exposure. Installing a safe room or basement shelter for tornado events is highly advisable, and clearing vegetation near structures is essential for wildfire preparedness.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dakota County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    34th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Dakota County

Risk Verdict

Dakota County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 36th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Dakota County can use the 36th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Dakota County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (34th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Dakota County's primary hazard at the 78th percentile nationally. For Dakota 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 76th percentile nationally means Dakota County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Dakota 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

Dakota County falls 10.2 points above Nebraska's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Dakota 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 Dakota County, NE?
Dakota County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Dakota County?
Dakota County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (78th percentile), tornado (76th percentile), flooding (34th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 78th 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 Dakota County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Dakota County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dakota County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Dakota County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Dakota County's wildfire risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Dakota County is at the 34th 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 Dakota County higher risk than average?
Dakota County's composite risk score of 36th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (78th 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

Thayer County

Nebraska

+2.4

Very Low

38th percentile

Phelps County

Nebraska

+3.1

Very Low

39th percentile

Franklin County

Nebraska

-3.8

Very Low

32th 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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