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

Kimball County Disaster Risk

Kimball County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kimball County, Nebraska

Kimball County's disaster risk

Kimball County scores 7.57 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and remaining far below the national average. This reflects strong resilience across most natural hazard categories.

Safe region in Nebraska

Kimball County's composite risk of 7.57 is substantially lower than Nebraska's state average of 25.80, making it one of the safest counties in the state. This advantage extends across multiple hazard types.

Compared to nearby counties

Kimball County's risk (7.57) is lower than Keith County (13.77) and significantly outperforms Knox County (29.71) and Lincoln County (48.57). Only Keya Paha County (1.46) and Johnson County (4.58) surpass its safety profile in the region.

Your top natural hazards

Wildfire risk is Kimball County's primary concern at 55.22, though it remains moderate overall. Earthquake risk (26.05) ranks second—notably higher than in neighboring counties—while tornado risk (23.86) represents a third, lesser concern.

Insurance for peace of mind

Wildfire and earthquake coverage deserve attention from Kimball County homeowners, as these hazards show elevated risk compared to the county's other exposures. Review your policy to ensure these perils are covered or consider targeted riders.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kimball County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    26th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    24th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Kimball County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Kimball County ranks at the 8th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A 8th percentile score positions Kimball 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 Kimball County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (24th percentile), flood (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Kimball County sits at the 55th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Kimball County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's earthquake exposure at the 26th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Kimball County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 18.2 points below the Nebraska state average, Kimball County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Kimball 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 Kimball County, NE?
Kimball County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 Kimball County?
Kimball County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (55th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), flooding (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 55th 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 Kimball County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Kimball County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Kimball County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Kimball County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kimball County's wildfire risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Kimball County is at the 7th 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 Kimball County a safe place to live?
Kimball County's composite risk score of 8th 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 55th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hitchcock County

Nebraska

-0.7

Very Low

7th percentile

Chase County

Nebraska

-0.9

Very Low

7th percentile

Dixon County

Nebraska

+1.3

Very Low

9th 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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