Washington County

Nebraska — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

25.5

National percentile: 26th

Washington County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.5, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $14M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 21K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Low $839K/yr
Hail
Medium $1M/yr
Landslide
Low $15K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $839K
Hail Medium 6.75 / yr $1M
Landslide Low 0.14 / yr $15K
Drought Medium 25.26 / yr $852K
Tornado Medium 0.32 / yr $4M
Ice Storm Low 0.81 / yr $156K
Strong Wind Low 4.38 / yr $834K
Cold Wave Low 5.11 / yr $943K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.93 / yr $5M
Heat Wave Very Low 6.95 / yr $86K
Winter Weather Very Low 13.74 / yr $15K
Lightning Very Low 45.20 / yr $54K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $15K
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 Washington County?

Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $839K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $15K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Washington County compare to other Nebraska counties?

Washington County ranks #39 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. Washington County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.