Natural Disasters in Cowles, NE
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
55.5
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
47.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
77.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
50.5
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hail | 98.9 |
| Drought | 92.7 |
| Strong Wind | 92.0 |
| Lightning | 78.1 |
| Ice Storm | 65.8 |
| Winter Weather | 61.1 |
| Wildfire | 42.7 |
| Tornado | 42.5 |
| Heat Wave | 23.1 |
| Earthquake | 10.3 |
| Landslide | 10.3 |
| Cold Wave | 7.1 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
16
Most Recent
Severe Storm
Oct 2025
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
7 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| May 21, 2025 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Feb 23, 2022 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Apr 4, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 21, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Jun 29, 2018 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Jul 15, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jun 20, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jan 7, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUEES |
| May 25, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING |
| Nov 1, 1997 | Severe Storm | SEVERE SNOW STORMS, RAIN, AND STRONG WINDS |
| Jul 19, 1993 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Apr 8, 1976 | Severe Ice Storm | ICE STORMS & HIGH WINDS |
| Oct 20, 1973 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
3
Total Claims Paid
$13,326
Avg Claim Payout
$4,442
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$171,266
Disasters with PA
2
Total Projects
5
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4420 | Severe Storm(s) | 4 | $166,069 |
| DR-4521 | Biological | 1 | $5,197 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
6
Federal Funding
$387,380
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 3 | $312,338 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 3 | $75,042 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Cowles has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hail, drought, strong wind. The area has had 16 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (7 declarations). 3 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $171,266 in public assistance recovery funding. 6 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.