Dawson County
Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Dawson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.3, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.14 / yr | $9M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.33 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 49.57 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 14.84 / yr | $428K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $119K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.07 / yr | $120K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.28 / yr | $214K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $315K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $66K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $96 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.58 / yr | $188K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dawson County?
Dawson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dawson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $9M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dawson County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Dawson County ranks #8 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Dawson County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.