riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Bourbon County Disaster Risk

Bourbon County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Bourbon County

Risk Verdict

Bourbon County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 36th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Bourbon County, scoring in the 45th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 44th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (43th), flood (40th), hurricane (24th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Bourbon County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Bourbon County is significantly riskier than the average county in Kansas. Its composite risk score is 5.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bourbon County, KS?
Bourbon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Bourbon County?
Bourbon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (45th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), flooding (40th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 45th 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 Bourbon County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Bourbon County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bourbon County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Bourbon County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Bourbon County's wildfire risk is at the 45th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Bourbon County is at the 40th 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.
Why is Bourbon County higher risk than average?
Bourbon County's composite risk score of 36th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (45th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Kingman County

Kansas

-0.1

Very Low

36th percentile

Osage County

Kansas

-0.2

Very Low

35th percentile

Coffey County

Kansas

-0.3

Very Low

35th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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