Natural Disaster Risk in Burwell

Natural Hazard Profile: Burwell, Nebraska

Burwell is a small community of about 1,936 in Garfield County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences hot summers, cold winters, and open-terrain wind exposure, with one of the most tornado-active spring seasons in the central US shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Burwell.

FEMA rates Burwell's composite natural disaster risk at 3.6 out of 10 — low risk. The threat of wildfire dominates the local risk environment, with hot, dry summers and abundant fuel creating dangerous fire conditions each year. Residents should also account for tsunami and volcano risk in their preparedness planning.

Burwell's risk score, slightly below the 4.8/10 state average and below the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Garfield County, the highest-scoring are wildfire, tsunami, and volcano. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Despite its lower-than-average risk classification, Burwell is not immune to natural hazards. Basic preparedness — an emergency kit, awareness of seasonal risks, and property insurance that covers wildfire — remains prudent for all residents.