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

Chase County Disaster Risk

Chase County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#87

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

20th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Chase County, Kansas

Chase County's disaster risk ranks very low nationally

With a composite risk score of 9.35, Chase County sits well below the national average and poses minimal natural disaster exposure overall. The county's "Very Low" rating reflects relatively modest threats across most hazard types, making it one of Kansas's safer communities.

Safest counties in Kansas

Chase County's score of 9.35 is significantly below Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it among the lowest-risk counties statewide. This strong performance is driven by minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake exposure compared to peers.

Safer than neighboring counties

Chase County's risk profile outperforms nearby Butler and Lyon Counties, which face higher tornado and wildfire threats. The county's balanced hazard exposure—without severe concentration in any single category—distinguishes it from southwestern Kansas neighbors.

Wildfire poses the primary threat

Wildfire risk scores 80.38 in Chase County, representing the most significant natural hazard despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk, at 30.69, presents a secondary concern but remains below state averages.

Prioritize wildfire and weather coverage

Homeowners should maintain robust property insurance that covers wildfire damage and ensure they have adequate tornado and wind coverage. Given Chase County's low overall risk, standard homeowner's policies with these protections are typically sufficient.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Chase County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    31th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    20th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Chase County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Chase County ranks at the 9th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 9th percentile, Chase County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Chase County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (20th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Chase County sits at the 80th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Chase 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 31th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Chase 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 20.5 points below the Kansas state average, Chase County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Chase 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 Chase County, KS?
Chase County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Chase County?
Chase County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (80th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), flooding (20th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 80th 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 Chase County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Chase County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Chase County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Chase County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Chase County's wildfire risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Chase County is at the 20th 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 Chase County a safe place to live?
Chase County's composite risk score of 9th 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 wildfire at the 80th 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.