Hamilton County

Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

42.6

National percentile: 43th

Hamilton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.6, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $20M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 9K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hail
High $8M/yr
Strong Wind
High $5M/yr
Drought
Medium $2M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hail High 7.20 / yr $8M
Strong Wind High 4.15 / yr $5M
Drought Medium 41.66 / yr $2M
Ice Storm Medium 0.58 / yr $263K
Winter Weather Low 13.84 / yr $128K
Tornado Low 0.51 / yr $2M
Lightning Low 43.20 / yr $218K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $20K
Heat Wave Very Low 5.21 / yr $115K
Cold Wave Very Low 4.68 / yr $285K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.61 / yr $3M
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $18K
Landslide Very Low 0.07 / yr $10
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 Hamilton County?

Hamilton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 43th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Hamilton County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $8M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $5M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Hamilton County compare to other Nebraska counties?

Hamilton County ranks #20 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Hamilton County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.