Nemaha County Disaster Risk
Nemaha County, Nebraska
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
13th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#62
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 67% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Nemaha County, Nebraska
Nemaha County ranks among America's safest
Nemaha County's composite risk score of 13.39 places it in the Very Low category, substantially below the national average. The county benefits from a favorable natural hazard geography with minimal catastrophic exposure.
Nemaha County among Nebraska's safest
Nemaha County scores 13.39 against Nebraska's 25.80 state average, ranking among the state's lowest-risk counties. It outperforms roughly 90% of its state peers on composite risk.
Nemaha County safe, though not safest regionally
Nemaha County's 13.39 score is safer than Merrick County (42.94), Morrill County (27.83), and Nance County (21.66), but higher than McPherson County (0.13). It remains solidly in the low-risk tier.
Wildfire and tornado pose modest exposures
Nemaha County's wildfire risk (66.79) and tornado risk (49.11) represent its main hazards, though still moderate in national context. Earthquake risk (12.53) and flood risk (15.74) are minor concerns, with no meaningful hurricane exposure.
Standard coverage with wildfire consideration
Nemaha County homeowners should maintain comprehensive policies with attention to wildfire and tornado coverage, which represent the county's primary risks. Standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection here.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Nemaha County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Nemaha County
Risk Verdict
Nemaha County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 13th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 13th percentile nationally is an advantage for Nemaha County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Nemaha County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Nemaha County's primary hazard at the 67th percentile nationally. For Nemaha County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 49th percentile nationally means Nemaha County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Nemaha County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Nebraska county average, Nemaha County's composite score runs 12.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Nemaha County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Nemaha County, NE?
What types of natural hazards affect Nemaha County?
How does Nemaha County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Is Nemaha County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Nemaha County a safe place to live?
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.