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

Nance County Disaster Risk

Nance County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#47

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Nance County, Nebraska

Nance County maintains well-below-average risk

Nance County's composite risk score of 21.66 places it firmly in the Very Low category and below the national average. The county enjoys relatively benign natural hazard exposure compared to most American communities.

Nance County safer than Nebraska average

Nance County scores 21.66 against Nebraska's 25.80 state average, placing it among the lower-risk counties statewide. It ranks in the safer quartile of natural disaster risk across Nebraska.

Nance County low-risk, but not lowest

Nance County's 21.66 score is safer than Merrick County (42.94) and Morrill County (27.83), but higher than McPherson County (0.13) and Loup County (0.25). It represents solid, mid-low regional safety.

Tornado and wildfire are modest concerns

Nance County's tornado risk (34.89) and wildfire risk (42.84) represent its primary hazards, though both remain below state averages in many comparisons. Flood risk (14.09) and earthquake risk (4.48) are minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance with fire attention

Nance County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners policies with adequate fire coverage given moderate wildfire exposure. Annual reviews ensure limits keep pace with property value growth.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Nance County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    43th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    14th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Nance County

Risk Verdict

Nance County's overall natural disaster score at the 22th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A 22th percentile score positions Nance County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Nance County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 43th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (14th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 43th percentile nationally, Nance County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Nance County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 35th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Nance County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Nance County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Nance County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Nebraska county average, with a 4.1-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Nance 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 Nance County, NE?
Nance County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Nance County?
Nance County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (43th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), flooding (14th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 43th 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 Nance County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Nance County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Nance County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Nance County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Nance County's wildfire risk is at the 43th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Nance County is at the 14th 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 Nance County a safe place to live?
Nance County's composite risk score of 22th 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 43th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cedar County

Nebraska

+0.0

Very Low

22th percentile

Box Butte County

Nebraska

-0.7

Very Low

21th percentile

Sherman County

Nebraska

+0.7

Very Low

22th 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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