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

McPherson County Disaster Risk

McPherson County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#93

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

0th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% 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 McPherson County, Nebraska

McPherson County: Nebraska's safest county

McPherson County's composite risk score of 0.13 represents the absolute lowest risk profile among all Nebraska counties profiled here. This exceptionally minimal score places it among America's safest communities for natural disasters.

The gold standard for Nebraska safety

McPherson County scores just 0.13 against Nebraska's 25.80 state average, making it roughly 200 times safer in composite terms. No other Nebraska county profiled here approaches its low-risk profile.

McPherson County dramatically outperforms region

McPherson County's 0.13 score is far below Logan County (0.22), Loup County (0.25), and every other neighboring county. It stands alone as the region's safest area.

Wildfire is the only modest concern

McPherson County's wildfire risk of 38.45 represents its only notable hazard, though still modest in national terms. Tornado risk (5.28), flood risk (0.32), and earthquake risk (0.70) are all minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance covers routine needs

Residents of McPherson County can rely on basic homeowners policies for adequate protection in this exceptionally safe environment. Annual policy reviews ensure coverage remains aligned with property value.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in McPherson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    38th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    5th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    1th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: McPherson County

Risk Verdict

At the 0th percentile nationally, McPherson County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 0th percentile, McPherson County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is McPherson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 38th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 5th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (1th percentile), flood (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

McPherson County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 38th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in McPherson County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 5th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. McPherson 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 25.7 points below the Nebraska state average puts McPherson County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for McPherson 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 McPherson County, NE?
McPherson 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 McPherson County?
McPherson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (38th percentile), tornado (5th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flooding (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 38th 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 McPherson County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
McPherson 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 McPherson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is McPherson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, McPherson County's wildfire risk is at the 38th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, McPherson County is at the 0th 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 McPherson County a safe place to live?
McPherson 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 38th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Thomas County

Nebraska

+0.0

Very Low

0th percentile

Grant County

Nebraska

+0.1

Very Low

0th percentile

Logan 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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