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

Morrill County Disaster Risk

Morrill County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

28th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

16th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morrill County, Nebraska

Morrill County slightly above national average risk

Morrill County's composite risk score of 27.83 places it in the Very Low category but slightly above the national baseline. The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire and tornado exposure.

Morrill County near Nebraska's average risk

Morrill County scores 27.83, just marginally above Nebraska's 25.80 state average, suggesting typical hazard exposure for the state. It occupies the mid-range of natural disaster risk across Nebraska.

Morrill County comparable to most peers

Morrill County's 27.83 score falls between Nance County (21.66) and Madison County (60.88), sitting near the regional middle. Wildfire risk is notably higher than in most neighboring counties.

Wildfire dominates Morrill County's risk profile

Morrill County's wildfire risk of 63.93 is its dominant hazard and among the highest in the state. Tornado risk (25.22) and earthquake risk (20.99) present additional, though secondary, concerns.

Prioritize fire-resistant coverage and roofing

Morrill County homeowners should ensure comprehensive policies with strong wildfire coverage and consider fire-resistant roofing materials. Standard homeowners insurance should be reviewed annually to maintain adequate limits.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morrill County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    25th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    21th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morrill County

Risk Verdict

Morrill County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 28th percentile nationally. Residents of Morrill County can use the 28th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Morrill County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 25th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (21th percentile), flood (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 64th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Morrill County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's tornado exposure at the 25th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Morrill County residents.

Regional Context

Morrill County tracks the Nebraska county average closely, sitting 2.0 composite points above the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Nebraska.

Is your household prepared for Morrill 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 Morrill County, NE?
Morrill County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 28th 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 Morrill County?
Morrill County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), tornado (25th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), flooding (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Morrill County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Morrill County's composite risk percentile is 28th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Morrill County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Morrill County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Morrill County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Morrill County is at the 16th 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 Morrill County higher risk than average?
Morrill County's composite risk score of 28th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (64th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.