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

Sedgwick County Disaster Risk

Sedgwick County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

7th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% 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 Sedgwick County, Colorado

Sedgwick ranks among America's lowest-risk counties

Sedgwick County's composite score of 6.52 earns a Very Low rating and places it in the safest tier nationally. The county faces minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Colorado's lowest-risk county

Sedgwick's 6.52 score is the lowest in Colorado, representing just 16% of the state average of 40.67. No other Colorado county matches its low overall disaster exposure.

Safest county in the northeast plains

Sedgwick outranks all neighboring counties in safety, including Washington County (11.99) and Yuma County (36.80). Its risk profile is exceptionally favorable compared to the broader High Plains region.

Tornadoes pose the biggest local threat

While overall risk is very low, tornado exposure (23.35) is Sedgwick's highest individual hazard score. Wildfire (34.13) and earthquake (14.31) risks remain moderate; flooding is minimal at 3.88.

Standard homeowner's coverage should suffice

Sedgwick's very low risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides adequate protection. However, renters and homeowners in tornado-prone areas may want to review coverage for wind damage and consider a safe room or shelter plan.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sedgwick County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    34th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    23th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    14th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sedgwick County

Risk Verdict

At the 7th percentile nationally, Sedgwick County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Sedgwick County's favorable 7th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sedgwick County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 34th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (14th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Sedgwick County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 34th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Sedgwick County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 23th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Sedgwick County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 34.2 points below the Colorado state average puts Sedgwick County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Sedgwick 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 Sedgwick County, CO?
Sedgwick County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 7th 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 Sedgwick County?
Sedgwick County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (34th percentile), tornado (23th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), flooding (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 34th 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 Sedgwick County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Sedgwick County's composite risk percentile is 7th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sedgwick County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Sedgwick County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sedgwick County's wildfire risk is at the 34th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Sedgwick County is at the 4th 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 Sedgwick County a safe place to live?
Sedgwick County's composite risk score of 7th 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 34th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Costilla County

Colorado

+0.0

Very Low

7th percentile

Gilpin County

Colorado

-0.2

Very Low

6th percentile

Lake County

Colorado

-0.9

Very Low

6th percentile

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.

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