Natural Disaster Risk in Seward County

Natural Hazard Profile: Seward County, Nebraska

Seward County is located in the United States in Nebraska, home to roughly 17,577 residents. The county 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 natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Seward County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.1 out of 10 — moderate risk. Hailstorm risk tops the local hazard profile, driven by frequent severe thunderstorm development that produces some of the most property-damaging hail in the country. Residents should also account for wildfire and ice storm risk in their preparedness planning.

Seward County's risk score, near the 4.8/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Seward County, the highest-scoring are hail, wildfire, and ice storm. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Seward County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for hail is recommended.