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

Keith County Disaster Risk

Keith County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#59

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Keith County, Nebraska

Keith County's disaster risk

Keith County scores 13.77 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and remaining well below the national average. This reflects solid protection across multiple hazard categories.

Lower risk than Nebraska

Keith County's composite risk of 13.77 is notably lower than Nebraska's state average of 25.80, positioning it as one of the safer counties in the state. This advantage holds across most major hazard types.

Compared to nearby counties

Keith County's risk (13.77) falls between Kimball County (7.57) to the east and Lincoln County (48.57) to the south, reflecting a balanced risk profile. It outperforms Knox County (29.71) and significantly beats Lancaster County (90.74).

Your top natural hazards

Wildfire risk is Keith County's primary concern at 66.76, driven by grasslands and seasonal conditions. Earthquake risk (16.79) ranks second at a moderate level, while tornado risk (27.39) remains the third concern.

Insurance for peace of mind

Keith County residents should prioritize wildfire coverage, as this hazard significantly outpaces others in the county. Review your homeowners policy for wildfire exclusions and consider additional protection if you're in a high-grass or brush area.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Keith County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    27th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    17th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Keith County

Risk Verdict

Keith County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 14th percentile nationally. Keith County residents can take confidence from a 14th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Keith County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 27th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (17th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Keith County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 67th percentile nationally. Keith 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 27th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Keith 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 Keith County's score by 12.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Keith 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 Keith County, NE?
Keith County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Keith County?
Keith County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (67th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 67th 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 Keith County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Keith County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Keith County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Keith County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Keith County's wildfire risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Keith County is at the 15th 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 Keith County a safe place to live?
Keith County's composite risk score of 14th 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 67th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Richardson County

Nebraska

+0.1

Very Low

14th percentile

Frontier County

Nebraska

-0.1

Very Low

14th percentile

Wayne County

Nebraska

+0.2

Very Low

14th 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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