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

Thomas County Disaster Risk

Thomas County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#92

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

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Thomas County, Nebraska

Thomas is the nation's safest

Thomas County's composite risk score of 0.16 ranks it among the absolute lowest-risk counties in the United States. The county's exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure across virtually all natural disaster categories.

Nebraska's lowest-risk county

At 0.16, Thomas County far exceeds the safety bar set by Nebraska's 25.80 state average, standing as the state's most protected area. No other county in this analysis approaches Thomas County's remarkable safety level.

Dramatically safer than peers

Thomas County's 0.16 score is incomparably lower than all neighboring counties; even Sioux County (1.37) faces nearly nine times more composite risk. The county represents an exceptional pocket of natural disaster safety.

Wildfire is minimal concern

Wildfire risk (42.21) represents Thomas County's only notable hazard exposure, yet remains moderate in absolute terms. Tornado (7.73), earthquake (2.89), and flood (0.95) risks are negligible.

Basic coverage provides security

Thomas County's exceptional safety means homeowners can focus on standard insurance without specialized disaster riders. Maintain current homeowners coverage and consider modest wildfire protection as a precaution, though overall risk remains exceptionally low.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Thomas County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    8th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    3th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Thomas County

Risk Verdict

Thomas County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 0th percentile nationally. The 0th percentile national ranking is one lens; Thomas County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Thomas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 42th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 8th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (3th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Thomas County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 42th percentile nationally. Thomas County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's tornado exposure at the 8th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Thomas County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Nebraska county average exceeds Thomas County's score by 25.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Thomas 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 Thomas County, NE?
Thomas County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 0th 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 Thomas County?
Thomas County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (42th percentile), tornado (8th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 42th 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 Thomas County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Thomas County's composite risk percentile is 0th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Thomas County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Thomas County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Thomas County's wildfire risk is at the 42th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Thomas 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 Thomas County a safe place to live?
Thomas County's composite risk score of 0th 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 42th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Grant County

Nebraska

+0.0

Very Low

0th percentile

McPherson County

Nebraska

-0.0

Very Low

0th percentile

Logan County

Nebraska

+0.1

Very Low

0th 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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