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

Allen County Disaster Risk

Allen County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#69

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Allen County, Kansas

Allen County's natural disaster risk

Allen County scores 15.27 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it well below the national average. This means residents face significantly lower exposure to major natural disasters compared to the typical U.S. county. However, tornadoes remain the most notable hazard, with a risk score of 35.27.

Among Kansas's safer counties

Allen County's composite risk score of 15.27 is less than half the Kansas state average of 29.89, ranking it among the state's lower-risk counties. This favorable standing reflects the county's distance from major wildfire corridors and relatively modest flood and earthquake exposure. The county remains a relatively safe place to live by Kansas standards.

Comparable to similar Kansas counties

Allen County's risk profile closely matches neighboring Brown County (15.33) and Atchison County (15.97), all considered Very Low risk. Anderson County and Bourbon County carry slightly higher composite scores but remain in the Very Low category. Collectively, this region of Kansas represents the state's more resilient communities.

Tornadoes your primary concern

Tornado risk is Allen County's most significant natural disaster threat at 35.27, a score that warrants preparedness but remains well below state average tornado exposure. Flood risk (26.34) and earthquake risk (28.85) pose secondary considerations. Residents should maintain a household emergency plan and know where to seek shelter during spring severe weather season.

Insurance coverage for peace of mind

Although Allen County faces below-average natural disaster risk, standard homeowners insurance often excludes flood and earthquake damage—coverage you'll want to evaluate separately with your agent. Even in low-risk counties, a single severe event can cause substantial losses, making supplemental policies a practical investment. Review your coverage annually and ensure your household has an up-to-date emergency plan.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Allen County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    29th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    26th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Allen County

Risk Verdict

At the 15th percentile nationally, Allen County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Allen County residents can take confidence from a 15th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Allen County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (26th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Allen County ranks at the 35th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Allen County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 29th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Allen County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Allen County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

A composite score 14.6 points below the Kansas state average puts Allen County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Allen 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 Allen County, KS?
Allen County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Allen County?
Allen County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (35th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), flooding (26th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 35th 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 Allen County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Allen County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Allen County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Allen County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Allen County's tornado risk is at the 35th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Allen County is at the 26th 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 Allen County a safe place to live?
Allen County's composite risk score of 15th percentile is below the Kansas state average of 30th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 35th 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.