Pawnee County Disaster Risk
Pawnee County, Nebraska
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
4th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#75
of 93 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
8th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Pawnee County, Nebraska
Pawnee ranks among America's safest counties
With a composite risk score of just 3.85, Pawnee County sits in the Very Low category and far below the national average. This exceptional ranking means residents experience significantly fewer natural disaster threats than nearly all American counties.
Nebraska's lowest-risk county
Pawnee County's score of 3.85 is the lowest in Nebraska and dramatically below the state average of 25.80. This places Pawnee in a uniquely protected position within the state's natural disaster landscape.
Exceptional safety compared to surrounding area
Pawnee County's 3.85 score stands far below all neighboring counties, making it an outlier of safety in southeast Nebraska. The next-closest county, Perkins (4.36), is over 5 times higher in composite risk, and most area counties score 18 or above.
Wildfire is the primary hazard
Wildfire risk scores 78.91 in Pawnee County, making it by far the dominant natural disaster concern despite the county's very low overall composite score. Tornado risk (28.21) remains modest, while flood (7.63), earthquake (5.79), and hurricane (0.00) risks are minimal.
Focus on wildfire protection measures
Given wildfire's disproportionate risk compared to other hazards, prioritize defensible space maintenance and fire-resistant building materials around your property. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wildfire damage, but verify your policy's terms and consider additional coverage if you're in a heavily vegetated area.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Pawnee County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Pawnee County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Pawnee County ranks at the 4th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Even at the 4th percentile, Pawnee County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Pawnee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 28th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (8th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Pawnee County sits at the 79th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Pawnee County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary tornado exposure at the 28th percentile nationally means Pawnee County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Pawnee County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 21.9 points below the Nebraska state average, Pawnee County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Pawnee County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Pawnee County, NE?
What types of natural hazards affect Pawnee County?
How does Pawnee County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Is Pawnee County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Pawnee 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.