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

Grant County Disaster Risk

Grant County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#91

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% 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 6% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grant County, Nebraska

Grant County is virtually risk-free

Grant County's composite risk score of 0.19 represents one of the safest locations in the entire United States and is less than 1% of Nebraska's state average of 25.80. This remote panhandle county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure.

The safest county in Nebraska

Grant ranks as Nebraska's safest county by composite risk score, with virtually no significant hazard exposure across flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other major threats. Its exceptionally low score reflects the region's geography and climate.

Part of Nebraska's safest zone

Grant sits alongside Garfield County (1.27) to the east in a panhandle pocket where natural disaster risk is negligible statewide. This entire northwestern region represents the nation's most stable natural hazard environment.

Wildfire is your only measurable hazard

Wildfire risk (61.96) is Grant's sole notable exposure, though still moderate rather than high. All other hazards—flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes—are effectively zero.

Basic coverage handles Grant's minimal risk

Standard homeowner's insurance is sufficient for Grant County residents, with no need for specialized flood or earthquake policies. Maintaining defensible space during wildfire season provides practical seasonal protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grant County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    6th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    2th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grant County

Risk Verdict

At the 0th percentile nationally, Grant County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Grant County's favorable 0th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Grant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 6th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (2th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Grant County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Grant County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 6th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Grant County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 25.6 points below the Nebraska state average puts Grant County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Grant 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 Grant County, NE?
Grant County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 0th 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 Grant County?
Grant County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (62th percentile), tornado (6th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), flooding (1th 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 Grant County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Grant County's composite risk percentile is 0th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Grant County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Grant County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Grant County's wildfire risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grant County is at the 1th 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 Grant County a safe place to live?
Grant County's composite risk score of 0th 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.