riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Lancaster County Disaster Risk

Lancaster County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Lancaster County

Risk Verdict

Lancaster County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Lancaster County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 94th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (85th), earthquake (41th), hurricane (0th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Lancaster County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Lancaster County is significantly riskier than the average county in Nebraska. Its composite risk score is 64.9 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lancaster County, NE?
Lancaster County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 Lancaster County?
Lancaster County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (99th percentile), wildfire (94th percentile), flooding (85th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 99th 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 Lancaster County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Lancaster County's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lancaster County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Lancaster County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lancaster County's tornado risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lancaster County is at the 85th 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 Lancaster County higher risk than average?
Lancaster County's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (99th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding 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

Douglas County

Nebraska

+5.1

Relatively High

96th percentile

Sarpy County

Nebraska

-7.2

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Hall County

Nebraska

-16.5

Relatively Low

74th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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