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

Gosper County Disaster Risk

Gosper County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

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 22% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Gosper County, Nebraska

Gosper County faces very low risk

Gosper County's composite risk score of 9.83 is less than 40% of Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it comfortably in the very low risk category nationally. This south-central county enjoys strong natural disaster protection across most hazard types.

Among Nebraska's safest counties

Gosper ranks in Nebraska's lowest tier for composite risk, significantly outperforming the state median. Its low score reflects minimal exposure to the tornado and flood hazards that elevate risk in other parts of the state.

Safer than Furnas, riskier than Grant

Gosper sits between high-risk Furnas County to the south and very-low-risk Grant County to the west. Its 9.83 score represents a transitional zone where tornado risk begins rising compared to the state's safest panhandle counties.

Tornado exposure is your primary concern

Tornado risk (20.39) is your leading hazard, though still below the state baseline, followed by moderate wildfire exposure (22.01). Flood and earthquake risks remain near negligible.

Wind coverage and seasonal awareness matter

Include comprehensive wind damage coverage in your homeowner's policy to address Gosper County's tornado exposure. Standard coverage for flood and earthquake is generally unnecessary, though awareness of spring severe weather is valuable.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Gosper County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    22th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    20th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    3th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Gosper County

Risk Verdict

Gosper County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 10th percentile nationally. Even at the 10th percentile, Gosper County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Gosper County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 22th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 20th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (3th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Gosper County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 22th percentile nationally. Gosper County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary tornado exposure at the 20th percentile nationally means Gosper County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Gosper County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Nebraska county average exceeds Gosper County's score by 16.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Gosper 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 Gosper County, NE?
Gosper County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Gosper County?
Gosper County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (22th percentile), tornado (20th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 22th 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 Gosper County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Gosper County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Gosper County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Gosper County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Gosper County's wildfire risk is at the 22th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Gosper 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 Gosper County a safe place to live?
Gosper County's composite risk score of 10th 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 22th 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.