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

Rock County Disaster Risk

Rock County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#85

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Rock County, Nebraska

Rock County is America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 0.70, Rock County ranks as one of the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States. This exceptional safety makes it an outlier even compared to most 'Very Low' risk areas nationwide.

Nebraska's lowest-risk county by far

Rock County's score of 0.70 is dramatically lower than any other Nebraska county and nearly 37 times lower than the state average of 25.80. The county stands alone as the safest place in Nebraska for natural disaster exposure.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Rock County's risk score of 0.70 is extraordinarily low compared to Loup, Garfield, and Holt counties. Its isolated location in the Sandhills region and sparse population contribute to its exceptional natural disaster profile.

Wildfire is the only material risk

Wildfire risk scores 62.37, making it Rock County's sole significant natural hazard, though still modest in absolute terms. Tornado risk of 13.39 and flood risk of 1.08 are negligible compared to most counties, presenting almost no practical threat.

Standard coverage provides ample protection

Rock County's exceptional safety profile means basic homeowners insurance covers your primary concerns effectively. If you live on acreage or near grassland, confirm wildfire coverage in your policy—but overall, Rock County residents enjoy minimal natural disaster insurance worries.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Rock County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    13th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    6th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Rock County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Rock County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 1th percentile. At the 1th percentile nationally, Rock County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Rock County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 13th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (6th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 62th percentile nationally for wildfire, Rock County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 13th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Rock County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Rock County is 25.1 composite risk points below the Nebraska state mean, meaning most other Nebraska counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Rock 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 Rock County, NE?
Rock County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Rock County?
Rock County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (62th percentile), tornado (13th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 62th 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 Rock County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Rock County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Rock County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Rock County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Rock County's wildfire risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Rock County is at the 1th 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 Rock County a safe place to live?
Rock County's composite risk score of 1th 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 62th 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.