Natural Disasters in Western, NE
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
42.4
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
43.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
47.7
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
40.2
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hail | 94.2 |
| Strong Wind | 84.1 |
| Ice Storm | 79.5 |
| Drought | 77.9 |
| Winter Weather | 77.0 |
| Tornado | 69.0 |
| Wildfire | 68.9 |
| Lightning | 48.4 |
| Cold Wave | 21.0 |
| Earthquake | 18.0 |
| Heat Wave | 18.0 |
| Landslide | 10.7 |
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
21
Most Recent
Severe Storm
Oct 2025
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
9 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 25, 2015 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Jun 17, 2014 | Tornado | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Apr 21, 2010 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, ICE JAMS, AND FLOODING |
| Feb 25, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORM |
| Jun 20, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jun 6, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUEES |
| May 25, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING |
| May 16, 2001 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING AND TORNADOES |
| Nov 1, 1997 | Severe Storm | SEVERE SNOW STORMS, RAIN, AND STRONG WINDS |
| Jul 19, 1993 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jul 3, 1984 | Tornado | TORNADOES & FLOODING |
| Apr 8, 1976 | Severe Ice Storm | ICE STORMS & HIGH WINDS |
| Oct 20, 1973 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 21 declarations
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
15
Total IA Distributed
$1,416
Rental Assistance
$1,360
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4420 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1517 | 14 | $1,416 | $4,644 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
194
Total Claims Paid
$1,084,710
Avg Claim Payout
$5,591
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$530,321
Disasters with PA
5
Total Projects
30
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4420 | Severe Storm(s) | 15 | $436,293 |
| DR-4225 | Severe Storm(s) | 10 | $63,876 |
| DR-4521 | Biological | 1 | $15,861 |
| DR-4868 | Severe Storm(s) | 3 | $10,722 |
| DR-1878 | Severe Storm(s) | 1 | $3,569 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
9
Federal Funding
$1,205,205
Properties Protected
64
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.96
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 403.3: Stormwater Management - Flapgates/Floodgates | 2 | $187,278 |
| 402.1: Infrastructure Protective Measures (Roads and Bridges) | 1 | $368,494 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 1 | $17,231 |
| 206.1: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Private Structures | 1 | $86,168 |
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 1 | $51,997 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Western has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hail, strong wind, ice storm. The area has had 21 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (9 declarations). 194 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $530,321 in public assistance recovery funding. $1,416 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 9 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.