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

Saunders County Disaster Risk

Saunders County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Saunders County, Nebraska

Saunders sits slightly above national average

Saunders County's composite risk score of 29.10 falls in the 'Very Low' category but moderately exceeds the national average. Residents face somewhat more natural disaster exposure than typical U.S. counties, though risk remains manageable.

Middle-range risk profile for Nebraska

At 29.10, Saunders County slightly exceeds Nebraska's state average of 25.80, ranking it in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county presents a more challenging hazard profile than most Nebraska locations but remains safer than its eastern and central neighbors.

Comparable to central Nebraska counties

Saunders County's risk score of 29.10 aligns closely with neighboring Dodge and Butler counties but runs higher than western and southern neighbors. Its location in east-central Nebraska places it in a transitional zone between lower-risk western counties and higher-risk eastern areas.

Wildfire and tornado risks are principal concerns

Wildfire risk scores 72.23 and tornado risk reaches 59.41, making these Saunders County's dominant natural hazards. Flood risk of 32.47 presents a secondary threat, particularly for properties near the Platte River and its tributaries.

Prioritize wind and flood protection

Ensure your homeowners policy includes comprehensive windstorm and tornado coverage—essential for Saunders County's severe convective storm season. Evaluate flood insurance carefully, especially if you're in a mapped floodplain or near waterways; wildfire coverage matters for rural properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Saunders County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    32th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Saunders County

Risk Verdict

Saunders County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 29th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Saunders County's favorable 29th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Saunders County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (32th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Saunders County's primary hazard at the 72th percentile nationally. For Saunders 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 59th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Saunders 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

At 3.3 points from the Nebraska county mean, Saunders County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Saunders 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 Saunders County, NE?
Saunders County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Saunders County?
Saunders County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (72th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 72th 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 Saunders County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Saunders County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Saunders County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Saunders County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Saunders County's wildfire risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Saunders County is at the 32th 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.
Why is Saunders County higher risk than average?
Saunders County's composite risk score of 29th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (72th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Colfax County

Nebraska

-0.5

Very Low

29th percentile

Knox County

Nebraska

+0.6

Very Low

30th percentile

Custer County

Nebraska

-1.1

Very Low

28th 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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