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

Keya Paha County Disaster Risk

Keya Paha County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#80

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% 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 3% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Keya Paha County, Nebraska

Keya Paha County's disaster risk

Keya Paha County scores just 1.46 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and representing one of the safest counties in the nation. Natural disaster exposure here is exceptionally minimal.

Nebraska's safest county

Keya Paha County's composite risk of 1.46 is dramatically lower than Nebraska's state average of 25.80—the lowest in the state by a significant margin. This exceptional safety reflects minimal exposure to major hazard types.

Compared to nearby counties

Keya Paha County's risk (1.46) is substantially lower than all neighboring counties, including Johnson County (4.58), Knox County (29.71), and Kimball County (7.57). It stands alone as the region's safest jurisdiction.

Your top natural hazards

Wildfire risk is Keya Paha County's only notable hazard at 62.69, though this remains moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk (13.45) and flood risk (2.23) rank second and third but are quite minimal.

Insurance for peace of mind

Keya Paha County residents enjoy exceptional natural hazard protection, but wildfire insurance remains a sensible safeguard given the county's landscape. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude wildfire; a separate rider provides important coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Keya Paha County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    13th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    3th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Keya Paha County

Risk Verdict

At the 1th percentile nationally, Keya Paha County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Keya Paha County can use the 1th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Keya Paha County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 13th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (3th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Keya Paha County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Keya Paha County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary tornado exposure at the 13th percentile nationally means Keya Paha County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Keya Paha 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 24.3 points below the Nebraska state average puts Keya Paha County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Keya Paha 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 Keya Paha County, NE?
Keya Paha 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 Keya Paha County?
Keya Paha County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (63th percentile), tornado (13th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 63th 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 Keya Paha County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Keya Paha 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 Keya Paha County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Keya Paha County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Keya Paha County's wildfire risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Keya Paha 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 Keya Paha County a safe place to live?
Keya Paha 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 63th 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.