Valley County Disaster Risk
Valley County, Nebraska
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
26th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#37
of 93 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
12th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Valley County, Nebraska
Valley ranks near national average
Valley County's composite risk score of 26.02 sits marginally above the national average while maintaining a "Very Low" overall rating. The county faces moderate but manageable natural disaster exposure.
Comparable to state average
At 26.02, Valley County mirrors Nebraska's state average of 25.80 almost exactly, indicating it represents typical hazard exposure across the state. The county sits at the midpoint of statewide risk distribution.
Mid-range risk regionally
Valley's 26.02 exceeds low-risk counties like Sheridan (13.36) and Stanton (16.22) but trails the more hazard-exposed Thayer (38.39). The county ranks near Thurston County (26.40) in regional risk comparison.
Wildfire and tornado are primary
Wildfire risk (66.35) and tornado risk (30.53) represent Valley County's major natural hazards, with wildfire substantially dominating the risk profile. Flood risk (12.05) and earthquake exposure (7.95) remain relatively minor.
Wildfire and tornado coverage essential
Valley County homeowners should prioritize insurance that covers both wildfire and tornado damage given these elevated dual threats. Maintain property defensibility against fire, ensure adequate tornado shelter access, and keep coverage current.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Valley County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Valley County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Valley County ranks at the 26th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Valley County's favorable 26th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Valley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (12th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Valley County sits at the 66th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Valley 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 31th percentile nationally means Valley County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Valley 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
Valley County sits within 0.2 composite points of the Nebraska state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.
Is your household prepared for Valley County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Valley County, NE?
What types of natural hazards affect Valley County?
How does Valley County risk compare to the Nebraska average?
Is Valley County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Valley County higher risk than average?
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.