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

Garden County Disaster Risk

Garden County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#77

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Garden County, Nebraska

Garden County is exceptionally safe

Garden County's composite risk score of 2.83 ranks among the lowest in the nation and is just 11% of Nebraska's state average of 25.80. This northwestern county enjoys minimal exposure to major natural disasters compared to almost every U.S. county.

One of Nebraska's safest counties overall

Garden ranks among the very safest counties in Nebraska, with a score well below even the state's low-risk average. Its minimal composite risk reflects low exposure across all major hazard categories from flooding to earthquakes.

Nearly tied with Grant for lowest risk

Garden County's risk profile mirrors neighboring Grant County (0.19) to the north, both occupying the safest tier in the state. This panhandle region experiences remarkably uniform low-hazard conditions across a broad area.

Wildfire is your only notable exposure

Wildfire risk (62.44) is your sole significant hazard, though even this reflects moderate rather than high danger. All other risks—flooding, tornadoes, and earthquakes—remain near negligible levels.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

While Garden County's overall risk is very low, maintaining defensible space around your home and ensuring standard homeowner's coverage will address your primary exposure. Most residents here face minimal need for specialized flood or earthquake insurance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Garden County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    14th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Garden County

Risk Verdict

Garden County's overall natural disaster score at the 3th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 3th percentile nationally, Garden County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Garden County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 14th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (9th percentile), flood (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 62th percentile nationally, Garden County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Garden County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 14th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Garden County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Garden County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Garden County's composite risk score sits 23.0 points below the Nebraska county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Garden 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 Garden County, NE?
Garden County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Garden County?
Garden County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (62th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), flooding (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 62th 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 Garden County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Garden County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Garden County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Garden County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Garden County's wildfire risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Garden County is at the 3th 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 Garden County a safe place to live?
Garden County's composite risk score of 3th 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 62th 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.