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

Dundy County Disaster Risk

Dundy County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#79

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dundy County, Nebraska

Dundy enjoys exceptional national safety standing

Dundy County's composite risk score of 2.23 ranks among the safest counties in the entire nation with a Very Low rating. Residents experience natural disaster exposure far below the national average.

Nebraska's safest county by a wide margin

Dundy County scores just 2.23 compared to Nebraska's state average of 25.80, making it the state's most protected county. This dramatic advantage reflects the county's remote panhandle location and isolation from major hazard corridors.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Dundy County's score of 2.23 is substantially lower than all neighboring counties across the panhandle. Its geographic isolation and sparse development contribute to minimal exposure across all major hazard categories.

Minimal hazard exposure across the board

Even Dundy County's highest-scoring hazard—wildfire at 27.99—remains well below state and national averages. Tornadoes (17.14) and other natural disasters pose minimal risk to county residents.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Dundy County's exceptional safety profile (2.23 composite score) means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Still, verify your coverage includes wildfire damage and maintain basic emergency preparedness.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dundy County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    28th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    17th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    4th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Dundy County

Risk Verdict

Dundy County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 2th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 2th percentile, Dundy 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 Dundy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 28th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 17th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (4th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Dundy County's primary hazard at the 28th percentile nationally. For Dundy 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 17th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Dundy 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

Compared to the Nebraska county average, Dundy County's composite score runs 23.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Dundy 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 Dundy County, NE?
Dundy County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Dundy County?
Dundy County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (28th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 28th 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 Dundy County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Dundy County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dundy County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Dundy County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Dundy County's wildfire risk is at the 28th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Dundy County is at the 2th 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 Dundy County a safe place to live?
Dundy County's composite risk score of 2th 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 wildfire at the 28th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.