riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Cherokee County Disaster Risk

Cherokee County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

55th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Cherokee County

Risk Verdict

Cherokee County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 54th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Cherokee County, scoring in the 74th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 56th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (55th), earthquake (52th), hurricane (26th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Cherokee County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire 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

Cherokee County is significantly riskier than the average county in Kansas. Its composite risk score is 23.8 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 Cherokee County, KS?
Cherokee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th 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 Cherokee County?
Cherokee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (74th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), flooding (55th percentile), earthquake (52th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 74th 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 Cherokee County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Cherokee County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Cherokee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Cherokee County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cherokee County's tornado risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cherokee County is at the 55th 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 Cherokee County higher risk than average?
Cherokee County's composite risk score of 54th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (74th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pratt County

Kansas

+1.1

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Ford County

Kansas

-2.0

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Dickinson County

Kansas

-4.5

Relatively Low

49th 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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