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

Douglas County Disaster Risk

Douglas County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

96th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

95th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Douglas County, Nebraska

Douglas County faces highest disaster risk

Douglas County's composite risk score of 95.87 ranks it among the nation's most hazard-prone counties with a Relatively High rating. Residents face natural disaster exposure substantially above the national average across multiple threat categories.

Nebraska's riskiest county by far

Douglas County scores 95.87—nearly four times Nebraska's average of 25.80—making it the state's highest-risk county. This exceptional exposure reflects the county's location in a major metropolitan area along the Platte River in a severe weather corridor.

Dramatically higher risk than surrounding areas

Douglas County's score of 95.87 dwarfs neighboring counties, reflecting its urban density and riverine geography. No comparable county in the region approaches Douglas's risk level across the board.

Tornadoes and floods dominate the threat landscape

Tornadoes score 99.40 and flooding reaches 95.07 in Douglas County—among the highest hazard exposures in the nation. Wildfire risk (88.80) and earthquake risk (52.74) round out a comprehensive hazard portfolio that requires serious attention.

Multi-hazard insurance is non-negotiable

Douglas County's tornado score of 99.40 and flood risk of 95.07 demand that homeowners carry comprehensive coverage for all major hazards. Consider a FEMA-approved safe room, purchase separate flood insurance immediately, and review your policy quarterly given the county's extreme exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Douglas County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    99th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    95th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Douglas County

Risk Verdict

FEMA's National Risk Index places Douglas County at the 96th percentile nationally — in the high-risk bracket for U.S. counties. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Douglas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 95th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (89th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 99th percentile nationally, Douglas County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Flood is the second hazard driver for Douglas County at the 95th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. For Douglas County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Douglas County is 70.1 composite risk points above the Nebraska average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Douglas 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 Douglas County, NE?
Douglas County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 96th 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 Douglas County?
Douglas County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (99th percentile), flooding (95th percentile), wildfire (89th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 99th 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 Douglas County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Douglas County's composite risk percentile is 96th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Douglas County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Douglas County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Douglas County's tornado risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Douglas County is at the 95th 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 Douglas County higher risk than average?
Douglas County's composite risk score of 96th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (99th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire and earthquake 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

Lancaster County

Nebraska

-5.1

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Sarpy County

Nebraska

-12.3

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Hall County

Nebraska

-21.6

Relatively Low

74th 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 Douglas County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score