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

Hayes County Disaster Risk

Hayes County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#83

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

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hayes County, Nebraska

Hayes County among America's safest

Hayes County scores just 1.24 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the very lowest-risk counties in the entire United States. Every major hazard category—flood (1.43), wildfire (26.43), tornado (13.20), and earthquake (1.43)—remains well below national averages. This exceptional safety profile reflects the county's isolated location and favorable geography.

Nebraska's lowest-risk county overall

Hayes County's composite score of 1.24 is by far the lowest in Nebraska, dramatically outperforming the state average of 25.80. With tornado and earthquake risks each scoring just 13.20 and 1.43 respectively, Hayes County has minimal exposure to the hazards that affect most of the state. Its only marginally elevated risk is wildfire at 26.43, which remains manageable.

Far safer than surrounding counties

Hayes County's composite risk of 1.24 is incomparably lower than nearby Hitchcock County (6.84) and Harlan County (32.03) to the east. Tornado risk of 13.20 is roughly one-third that of Harlan's 35.81, and earthquake exposure is virtually non-existent. Hayes County stands alone as a natural disaster risk island in this region.

Wildfire is the only notable exposure

Wildfire presents the only meaningful natural disaster risk to Hayes County residents, scoring 26.43, though even this remains well below national average. Tornado, flood, and earthquake risks are all negligible, each scoring 13 points or less. Most residents here face minimal exposure to traditional natural hazards.

Focus on wildfire prevention primarily

Hayes County residents should maintain defensible space around their homes by removing dead vegetation and trimming tree branches to reduce wildfire risk. Standard homeowners insurance should be sufficient for most residents given the extremely low overall disaster risk. Consider annual property maintenance checks to address fire hazards rather than specialized disaster coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hayes County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    26th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    13th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    1th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hayes County

Risk Verdict

Hayes County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 1th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 1th percentile score positions Hayes County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Hayes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 26th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 13th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (1th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Hayes County's primary hazard at the 26th percentile nationally. For Hayes County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 13th percentile nationally means Hayes County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Hayes County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Nebraska county average, Hayes County's composite score runs 24.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Hayes 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 Hayes County, NE?
Hayes County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Hayes County?
Hayes County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (26th percentile), tornado (13th percentile), flooding (1th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 26th 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 Hayes County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Hayes County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hayes County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Hayes County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hayes County's wildfire risk is at the 26th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Hayes 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 Hayes County a safe place to live?
Hayes County's composite risk score of 1th 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 26th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Garfield County

Nebraska

+0.0

Very Low

1th percentile

Sioux County

Nebraska

+0.1

Very Low

1th percentile

Keya Paha County

Nebraska

+0.2

Very Low

1th percentile

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.

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