Ready for what Nebraska actually throws at you.
Tornadoes, blizzards, flash floods, drought, and some of the most extreme temperature swings in the country — all on the open plains with limited shelter.
About this guide
Nebraska sits squarely in the center of Tornado Alley and the path of every weather system that crosses the Great Plains. The Panhandle and western Nebraska deal with drought, blizzards that kill livestock and strand travelers, and wildfire. Central Nebraska — the Sandhills and Platte River valley — faces tornadoes, hail, and flash flooding in an agricultural landscape with very few public shelters. Eastern Nebraska and the Omaha metro sit on the Missouri River flood plain and in the tornado corridor. The 2019 'bomb cyclone' flood devastated communities along the Platte, Elkhorn, and Loup rivers — the costliest natural disaster in Nebraska history at $1.4 billion. The state's sparse population means you are often your own first responder.
Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.
Quick facts
Top hazards: Tornadoes, Flooding & Ice Jam Floods, Blizzards & Winter Storms
NE has expanded Medicaid — adults up to 138% FPL may qualify
USDA hardiness zones: 4b (Panhandle/Scottsbluff) to 6a (southeast NE / Omaha area)
Unemployment: up to $582/week for 26 weeks
Free or low-cost soil testing available through the state extension service
Seven topics, one state
Each section focuses on one question. Find what you need without wading through what you don't.
Official maps and tools for flood, fire, earthquake, water, dam, river, and local hazard awareness.
Am I at risk? →
Find nearby courses, extension programs, and emergency training that build practical skills.
Where do I learn? →
Connect with local gatherings, neighbor-help efforts, civic groups, and community support networks.
What's happening near me? →
Find official alerts, emergency agencies, trauma centers, and crisis-response information near you.
Who do I call? →
Use local frost dates, planting zones, soil data, extension calendars, and composting guidance.
What can I grow? →
Find food, utility, health, unemployment, and 211 resources before hardship becomes crisis.
Where can I find help? →
Find your county transit provider, demand-response ride service, and carpool matching options.
How do I get around? →
Simple step-by-step preparedness checklists for your home, family, garden, documents, and local risks.
What do I do next? →
Get specific
Enter your ZIP code to see real-time weather alerts, drought conditions, FEMA disaster declarations, and county-level resources.
Next steps
Know your risks
Flood zones, hazard maps, and the NE risks that apply to your county.
Local Risk ReadinessBuild the basics
The universal first step — before you personalize, get the 72-hour foundation in place.
First 72 Hours