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

Perkins County Disaster Risk

Perkins County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#73

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Perkins County, Nebraska

Perkins County's exceptional low-risk profile

Perkins County's composite risk score of 4.36 places it firmly in the Very Low category, performing far better than the national average. This minimal exposure means residents face dramatically fewer natural disaster threats than typical American communities.

Among Nebraska's safest counties

Perkins County scores 4.36, well below Nebraska's state average of 25.80 and among the state's lowest-risk counties overall. This favorable position reflects balanced, minimal hazard exposure across all major disaster types.

Notably safer than surrounding counties

Perkins County's 4.36 score ranks among the very safest in the region, with only Pawnee County (3.85) presenting lower composite risk nearby. Most neighboring counties score between 14 and 40, making Perkins an exceptionally protected area.

Wildfire and tornado pose minor threats

Wildfire risk scores 17.21 and tornado risk scores 19.72, making these the county's primary concerns, though both remain relatively low. Earthquake (8.68), flood (2.26), and hurricane risks are all minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance should suffice

Given Perkins County's exceptional low-risk profile, a standard homeowners insurance policy should adequately protect your property against the region's modest tornado and wildfire threats. Verify coverage limits and maintain property maintenance to minimize exposure to these minor hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Perkins County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    20th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    17th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Perkins County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Perkins County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 4th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Perkins County's favorable 4th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Perkins County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 20th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 17th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (9th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 20th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Perkins County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Perkins County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 17th percentile nationally means Perkins County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Perkins County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Perkins County is 21.4 composite risk points below the Nebraska state mean, meaning most other Nebraska counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Perkins 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 Perkins County, NE?
Perkins County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Perkins County?
Perkins County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (20th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 20th 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 Perkins County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Perkins County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Perkins County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Perkins County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Perkins County's tornado risk is at the 20th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Perkins County is at the 2th 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 Perkins County a safe place to live?
Perkins County's composite risk score of 4th 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 tornado at the 20th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.