riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Scotts Bluff County Disaster Risk

Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Scotts Bluff County

Risk Verdict

Scotts Bluff County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 64th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Scotts Bluff County, scoring in the 64th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 60th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (51th), flood (48th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Scotts Bluff County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Scotts Bluff County is significantly riskier than the average county in Nebraska. Its composite risk score is 38 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Scotts Bluff County, NE?
Scotts Bluff County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Scotts Bluff County?
Scotts Bluff County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), tornado (60th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), flooding (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Scotts Bluff County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Scotts Bluff County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Scotts Bluff County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Scotts Bluff County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Scotts Bluff County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Scotts Bluff County is at the 48th 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 Scotts Bluff County higher risk than average?
Scotts Bluff County's composite risk score of 64th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (64th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake 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

Adams County

Nebraska

+0.5

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Dawson County

Nebraska

+1.5

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Buffalo County

Nebraska

+2.2

Relatively Low

66th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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