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

Thurston County Disaster Risk

Thurston County, Nebraska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 93 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Thurston County, Nebraska

Thurston ranks slightly above average

Thurston County's composite risk score of 26.40 sits slightly above the national average, yet still maintains a "Very Low" risk rating overall. The county faces manageable hazard exposure comparable to typical American counties.

Near Nebraska's average risk

At 26.40, Thurston County closely mirrors Nebraska's state average of 25.80, positioning it as a middle-ground county for natural hazard exposure. The county represents typical risk conditions across the state.

Moderate risk in local context

Thurston's 26.40 exceeds many regional neighbors like Stanton (16.22) and Sherman (22.39), but falls below Thayer County (38.39). The county ranks in the mid-range of this eight-county analysis.

Tornado and wildfire dominate

Tornado risk (51.65) and wildfire risk (85.97) represent Thurston County's principal natural hazards, with wildfire showing the highest exposure levels. Flood risk (18.96) poses a secondary concern, while earthquake risk (6.74) remains negligible.

Prioritize wildfire and tornado

Thurston County residents should ensure comprehensive coverage for both wildfire and tornado, given these dual elevated threats. Consider a tornado safe room or shelter 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 Thurston County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    19th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Thurston County

Risk Verdict

At the 26th percentile nationally, Thurston County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 26th percentile, Thurston County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Thurston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (19th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Thurston County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Thurston County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 52th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Thurston County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 0.6 points from the Nebraska average, making Thurston County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Thurston 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 Thurston County, NE?
Thurston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Thurston County?
Thurston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (86th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), flooding (19th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 86th 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 Thurston County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Thurston County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Thurston County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nebraska.
Is Thurston County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Thurston County's wildfire risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Thurston County is at the 19th 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 Thurston County higher risk than average?
Thurston County's composite risk score of 26th percentile is above the Nebraska state average of 26th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (86th 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

Valley County

Nebraska

-0.4

Very Low

26th percentile

Polk County

Nebraska

-0.7

Very Low

26th percentile

Washington County

Nebraska

-0.9

Very Low

26th 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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