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

Hall County Disaster Risk

Hall County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

74th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

70th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hall County, Nebraska

Hall County faces significantly elevated risk

Hall County's composite risk score of 74.24 is nearly triple Nebraska's state average of 25.80 and ranks among the higher-risk counties nationally. This south-central county experiences substantial exposure to multiple major natural disaster categories.

One of Nebraska's riskiest counties

Hall ranks in the top tier of Nebraska's most hazardous counties, with composite risk driven primarily by exceptional tornado exposure (89.95) and significant flooding (70.10). Only a handful of Nebraska counties face comparable threat levels.

Far riskier than surrounding counties

Hall County's 74.24 score dramatically exceeds neighboring Gosper (9.83) and Greeley (12.69) counties to the west. This represents a risk concentration in the south-central corridor where tornado and flood exposure converge.

Tornadoes and floods dominate your exposure

Tornado risk (89.95) is exceptionally high and represents your most critical threat, while flood risk (70.10) is nearly equally severe. Both hazards demand serious preparation, including emergency planning and property hardening.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Hall County residents absolutely need wind damage coverage for tornado protection and a separate flood insurance policy, ideally before renewal seasons. A basement shelter or interior room provides critical life-safety protection during tornado season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    70th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hall County

Risk Verdict

Hall County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 74th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Hall County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Hall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (51th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 90th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Hall County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Hall County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Hall County at the 70th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Hall 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 48.4 points above the Nebraska state average puts Hall County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Hall 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 Hall County, NE?
Hall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 74th 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 Hall County?
Hall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (90th percentile), flooding (70th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 90th 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 Hall County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Hall County's composite risk percentile is 74th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hall County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Hall County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Hall County's tornado risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hall County is at the 70th 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.
Why is Hall County higher risk than average?
Hall County's composite risk score of 74th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (90th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.