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

Sheridan County Disaster Risk

Sheridan County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#63

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

10th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sheridan County, Nebraska

Sheridan ranks very low nationally

With a composite risk score of 13.36, Sheridan County sits well below the national average, facing minimal overall natural disaster threat. The county's "Very Low" rating reflects relatively modest exposure to most hazard types compared to counties across the United States.

One of Nebraska's safest counties

Sheridan County's score of 13.36 places it among Nebraska's lowest-risk counties, far below the state average of 25.80. This favorable position means residents face significantly less compound hazard exposure than most of their neighbors statewide.

Safer than surrounding counties

Sheridan's 13.36 score beats most adjacent counties; Thayer County (38.39) and Thurston County (26.40) face substantially higher composite risk. Among the region, only Thomas County (0.16) and Sioux County (1.37) present notably lower overall threat profiles.

Wildfire poses the main threat

Wildfire risk dominates Sheridan County at 89.63, making it the county's most significant natural hazard despite overall low composite risk. Tornado risk (23.06) and earthquake exposure (26.18) remain secondary concerns, neither approaching wildfire's severity.

Prioritize wildfire coverage today

While Sheridan's overall risk remains very low, homeowners should ensure policies include wildfire protection given the county's elevated fire exposure. Review coverage annually and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sheridan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    26th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    23th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sheridan County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Sheridan County ranks at the 13th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Sheridan County residents can take confidence from a 13th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sheridan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (23th percentile), flood (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Sheridan County sits at the 90th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Sheridan 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 26th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Sheridan 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 12.4 points below the Nebraska state average, Sheridan County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Sheridan 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 Sheridan County, NE?
Sheridan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Sheridan County?
Sheridan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (90th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), tornado (23th percentile), flooding (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 90th 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 Sheridan County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Sheridan County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sheridan County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Sheridan County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sheridan County's wildfire risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sheridan County is at the 10th 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 Sheridan County a safe place to live?
Sheridan County's composite risk score of 13th 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 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Nemaha County

Nebraska

+0.0

Very Low

13th percentile

Cherry County

Nebraska

+0.2

Very Low

14th percentile

Frontier County

Nebraska

+0.3

Very Low

14th 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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