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

Loup County Disaster Risk

Loup County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#89

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Loup County, Nebraska

Loup County maintains very low national risk profile

Loup County's composite risk score of 0.25 places it firmly in the Very Low category, substantially below the national average. This score reflects the county's fortunate geography and limited exposure to catastrophic natural hazards.

Among Nebraska's lowest-risk counties

Loup County scores 0.25 against Nebraska's state average of 25.80, marking it as one of the safest counties in the state. It ranks in the bottom tier for natural disaster risk across the region.

Loup County safer than most regional peers

Loup County's risk score of 0.25 compares favorably to Merrick County (42.94) and Nance County (21.66), though McPherson County (0.13) is slightly safer. It remains a low-risk area relative to state averages.

Wildfire and tornado pose modest threats

Loup County's wildfire risk of 30.09 and tornado risk of 9.96 represent its primary natural hazards, though both remain well below national averages. Flood risk (0.67) and earthquake risk (1.11) are negligible.

Standard homeowners insurance is typically sufficient

Residents of Loup County should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with attention to fire coverage given the modest wildfire risk. Standard policies usually provide adequate protection for this low-risk environment.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Loup County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    30th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    10th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    1th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Loup County

Risk Verdict

Loup County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 0th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Loup County's favorable 0th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Loup County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 30th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 10th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (1th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Loup County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 30th percentile nationally. Loup 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 10th percentile nationally means Loup County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Loup 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 Loup County's score by 25.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Loup 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 Loup County, NE?
Loup County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 0th 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 Loup County?
Loup County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (30th percentile), tornado (10th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 30th 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 Loup County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Loup County's composite risk percentile is 0th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Loup County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Loup County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Loup County's wildfire risk is at the 30th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Loup County is at the 1th 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 Loup County a safe place to live?
Loup County's composite risk score of 0th 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 30th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Arthur County

Nebraska

+0.0

Very Low

0th percentile

Logan County

Nebraska

-0.0

Very Low

0th percentile

Grant County

Nebraska

-0.1

Very Low

0th 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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