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

Knox County Disaster Risk

Knox County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Knox County, Nebraska

Knox County's disaster risk

Knox County scores 29.71 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating but sitting above the national average. This reflects moderate exposure to natural hazards, particularly tornadoes and wildfires.

Above-average risk for Nebraska

Knox County's composite risk of 29.71 exceeds Nebraska's state average of 25.80, making it one of the more vulnerable counties in the state. Tornado and wildfire risks drive this elevated profile.

Compared to nearby counties

Knox County's risk (29.71) is substantially higher than Keya Paha County (1.46), Johnson County (4.58), and Keith County (13.77), but comparable to Kearney County (30.95). Only Lincoln County (48.57) and Lancaster County (90.74) exceed its vulnerability in the broader region.

Your top natural hazards

Wildfire risk dominates Knox County at 81.39—the county's most significant hazard—followed closely by tornado risk at 53.24. Flood risk (31.33) ranks third, reflecting the county's vulnerable position for multiple major hazards.

Insurance for peace of mind

Knox County residents face meaningfully elevated tornado and wildfire risks and should prioritize comprehensive coverage for both hazards. Standard homeowners policies exclude wildfire, and tornado coverage often requires a separate rider; review your options with your agent.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Knox County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    31th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Knox County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Knox County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 30th percentile. Being ranked at the 30th percentile nationally is an advantage for Knox County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Knox County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (31th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 81th percentile nationally for wildfire, Knox County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 53th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Knox County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Knox County's composite risk score is within 3.9 points of the Nebraska county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Knox 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 Knox County, NE?
Knox County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th 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 Knox County?
Knox County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 81th 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 Knox County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Knox County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Knox County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Knox County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Knox County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Knox County is at the 31th 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 Knox County higher risk than average?
Knox County's composite risk score of 30th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (81th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Saunders County

Nebraska

-0.6

Very Low

29th percentile

Colfax County

Nebraska

-1.1

Very Low

29th percentile

Kearney County

Nebraska

+1.2

Very Low

31th 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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