Barton County Disaster Risk
Barton County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
60th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#15
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
43th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Barton County, Kansas
Barton County faces moderate disaster risk
Barton County scores 60.31 on the national composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, placing it above the national average for natural disaster exposure. This score reflects a county where multiple hazards converge at meaningful levels rather than a single dominant threat. Residents should take tornado, wildfire, and flood risks seriously in their preparedness planning.
Among Kansas's riskier counties
Barton County's composite risk of 60.31 is more than double the Kansas state average of 29.89, ranking it in the state's upper tier of risk exposure. The county faces elevated hazard exposure across tornadoes (86.64), wildfire (74.08), and floods (42.75), creating a complex disaster landscape. This combination reflects Barton County's central Kansas geography and climate patterns.
Riskier than nearby eastern counties
Barton County (60.31) carries substantially more composite risk than Allen, Anderson, Atchison, and Brown counties to the east, all scoring under 18. However, it remains safer overall than Butler County (74.40) directly to the south. Barton County represents a transitional zone where disaster risk escalates noticeably westward and southward across central Kansas.
Tornadoes, wildfires, and floods converge
Barton County's tornado risk of 86.64 is its most severe hazard and approaches the highest exposures statewide. Wildfire risk of 74.08 and flood risk of 42.75 add substantial secondary concerns that demand preparation. Together, these three hazards create a multi-faceted disaster landscape requiring comprehensive household planning.
Multi-hazard preparedness essential
Barton County residents need comprehensive disaster plans addressing tornadoes (safe room, early warning systems), flooding (evacuation routes, flood insurance), and wildfires (defensible space, evacuation supplies). Flood insurance is critical and must be obtained 30 days before coverage starts, so evaluate your property's flood risk immediately. Review and practice your household emergency plan twice yearly to maintain readiness across multiple hazard types.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Barton County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Barton County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Barton County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 60th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Barton County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Barton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (43th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 87th percentile nationally, Barton County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Barton County at the 74th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. For Barton County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Barton County is 30.4 composite risk points above the Kansas average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Barton County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Barton County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Barton County?
How does Barton County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Barton County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Barton County higher risk than average?
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.