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

Sioux County Disaster Risk

Sioux County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#81

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% 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 Sioux County, Nebraska

Sioux is exceptionally low-risk nationally

With a composite risk score of just 1.37, Sioux County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the entire nation. The county's "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure to most natural disaster types.

Among Nebraska's safest counties

Sioux County's score of 1.37 far exceeds Nebraska's average safety, landing it as one of the state's most protected areas. The county's risk profile sits dramatically below Nebraska's state average of 25.80.

Lowest risk in the region

Only Thomas County (0.16) presents lower overall risk than Sioux County's 1.37, making this area exceptionally safe compared to surrounding counties. Sheridan County (13.36) and other neighbors face significantly higher composite risk.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Wildfire risk (69.78) substantially outweighs other hazards in Sioux County, though overall composite risk remains remarkably low. Tornado (11.48) and earthquake (9.45) exposures are minimal by comparison.

Wildfire coverage remains important

Even in low-risk Sioux County, homeowners should include wildfire protection in their insurance policies given the county's fire exposure. Maintaining defensible space around structures provides cost-effective additional protection against this primary hazard.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sioux County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    11th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sioux County

Risk Verdict

Sioux County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 1th percentile nationally. A 1th percentile score positions Sioux County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sioux County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (9th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 70th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Sioux County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's tornado exposure at the 11th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Sioux County residents.

Regional Context

Sioux County falls 24.4 points below Nebraska's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Sioux 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 Sioux County, NE?
Sioux 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 Sioux County?
Sioux County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (70th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 70th 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 Sioux County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Sioux 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 Sioux County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Sioux County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sioux County's wildfire risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Sioux 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 Sioux County a safe place to live?
Sioux 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 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Garfield County

Nebraska

-0.1

Very Low

1th percentile

Keya Paha County

Nebraska

+0.1

Very Low

1th percentile

Hayes County

Nebraska

-0.1

Very Low

1th 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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