Kearney, NE
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Kearney is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Buffalo County, NE. The county's highest-rated hazards are hail, strong wind, and drought.
Storm events near Kearney
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Kearney's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Kearney itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Buffalo County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Kearney along with the rest of the county, not a Kearney-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 74.3 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 50.8 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 24.8 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 54.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 72 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 21.5 | Very Low |
| Drought | 87.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 98.6 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 80 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 23.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 72.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 70 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Buffalo County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Buffalo County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Kearney, NE at risk of?
Kearney is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Buffalo County, where Kearney is located, are hail, strong wind, and drought.
What is Kearney's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hail is the highest-rated hazard for Buffalo County, where Kearney is located, scoring 98.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Kearney a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Kearney carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Buffalo County.
Has Kearney had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 23 tornado, 178 hail, 18 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Kearney since 2016.