riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Kiowa County Disaster Risk

Kiowa County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kiowa County, Colorado

Kiowa County ranks among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 3.79, Kiowa County is among the nation's lowest-risk counties for natural disasters. Its "Very Low" rating reflects minimal hazard exposure across the board.

Colorado's second-safest county

Kiowa's 3.79 score ranks it just behind Hinsdale County (1.02) and well below Colorado's state average of 40.67. This eastern plains county enjoys exceptional protection from most hazard types.

Dramatically safer than western counties

Kiowa's 3.79 score vastly undercuts the mountain and foothill counties to its west, including Jackson County (11.77) and Huerfano County (24.24). Its flat, dry terrain provides natural hazard protection.

Wildfire and tornado pose modest risks

Wildfire risk (51.24) and tornado risk (15.27) are Kiowa's primary hazards, though both remain far below state and national averages. Flood and earthquake risks are exceptionally minimal.

Standard coverage provides ample protection

Kiowa County's exceptional safety profile means basic homeowner insurance typically meets your needs for natural disaster protection. Verify wildfire coverage exists, though risk remains low compared to other Colorado counties.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kiowa County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    15th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    14th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Kiowa County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Kiowa County ranks at the 4th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Kiowa County residents can take confidence from a 4th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Kiowa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 15th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (14th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Kiowa County sits at the 51th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Kiowa County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 15th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Kiowa County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 36.9 points below the Colorado state average, Kiowa County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Kiowa County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Kiowa County, CO?
Kiowa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Kiowa County?
Kiowa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (51th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 51th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Kiowa County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Kiowa County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Kiowa County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Kiowa County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kiowa County's wildfire risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Kiowa County is at the 5th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Kiowa County a safe place to live?
Kiowa County's composite risk score of 4th percentile is below the Colorado state average of 41th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 51th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.