Furnas County Disaster Risk
Furnas County, Nebraska
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
52th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 93 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
19th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Furnas County, Nebraska
Furnas sits above the national average
With a composite risk score of 51.88, Furnas County faces higher natural disaster risk than most U.S. counties and nearly double Nebraska's state average of 25.80. This relatively low rating reflects moderate exposure across multiple hazard types rather than dominance by any single threat.
Mid-range risk among Nebraska counties
Furnas ranks in the middle tier of Nebraska's 93 counties for composite risk. While it faces greater threats than the state median, it's significantly safer than Hall County and other east-central regions hit hardest by tornadoes and floods.
Riskier than western neighbors, safer than eastern
Furnas sits between low-risk Garden and Gosper counties to the west and higher-risk Harlan County to the east. Its 51.88 score reflects a transition zone where tornado and wildfire exposure begin rising compared to the panhandle.
Tornadoes and wildfires are your main threats
Tornado risk (37.18) is your leading hazard—well above the state baseline—followed by wildfire exposure (19.88). Flooding presents a secondary but notable concern at 18.83, so attention to both severe weather alerts and seasonal fire conditions is critical.
Prioritize wind and flood coverage
Given Furnas County's tornado risk, ensure your homeowner's policy includes comprehensive wind damage coverage and consider a separate flood policy for properties in flood-prone areas. A safe room or basement shelter will strengthen protection during severe thunderstorms.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Furnas County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Furnas County
Risk Verdict
Furnas County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 52th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Furnas County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Furnas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 20th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (19th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 37th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Furnas County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Furnas County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 20th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Furnas County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Furnas County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 26.1 points above the Nebraska state average puts Furnas County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Furnas County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Furnas County, NE?
What types of natural hazards affect Furnas County?
How does Furnas County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Is Furnas County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Furnas County higher risk than average?
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.