Kearney County
Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Kearney County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.9, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.21 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Medium | 42.18 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.10 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.00 / yr | $139K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.31 / yr | $161K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.22 / yr | $354K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $989K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.11 / yr | $100K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.26 / yr | $52K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $4 |
| 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 Kearney County?
Kearney County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kearney County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $6M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kearney County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Kearney County ranks #29 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. Kearney County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.