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

Frontier County Disaster Risk

Frontier County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Frontier County, Nebraska

Frontier's risk ranks well below national average

Frontier County's composite risk score of 13.68 falls well below the national average with a Very Low rating. Residents enjoy significantly lower natural disaster exposure than most American counties.

Well below Nebraska's risk average

Frontier County scores 13.68, substantially below Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it among the state's safer counties. This protective position reflects the county's remote panhandle location with moderate hazard exposure.

Among the safer counties in western Nebraska

Frontier County's score of 13.68 ranks it as one of the safer counties in the western panhandle region. Most neighboring counties show comparable or elevated risk levels.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Wildfire risk scores 41.76 in Frontier County, representing the dominant natural hazard residents face. Tornado risk (29.23) and earthquake risk (10.11) pose secondary concerns, while flood risk (7.44) remains minimal.

Prioritize wildfire protection and coverage

Frontier County homeowners should focus on wildfire preparedness given the county's 41.76 wildfire risk score. Verify your insurance includes wildfire damage, create defensible space around your home, and review coverage annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Frontier County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    29th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    10th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Frontier County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Frontier County ranks at the 14th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Residents of Frontier County can use the 14th 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 Frontier County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 42th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (10th percentile), flood (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Frontier County sits at the 42th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Frontier County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's tornado exposure at the 29th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Frontier County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 12.1 points below the Nebraska state average, Frontier County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Frontier 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 Frontier County, NE?
Frontier County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Frontier County?
Frontier County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (42th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile), flooding (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 42th 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 Frontier County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Frontier County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Frontier County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Frontier County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Frontier County's wildfire risk is at the 42th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Frontier County is at the 7th 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 Frontier County a safe place to live?
Frontier County's composite risk score of 14th 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 42th 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.