Clark County Disaster Risk
Clark County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
7th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#93
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
1th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 1% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Kansas
Clark County ranks exceptionally low nationally
Clark County's composite risk score of 7.09 places it among the safest counties in the entire United States, with a "Very Low" rating across all major hazard categories. The county's southwestern Kansas location and landscape result in minimal multi-hazard exposure.
Kansas's lowest-risk county
With a score of 7.09, Clark County sits far below Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking as the state's safest community overall. This exceptional safety is driven by dramatically low flood risk (1.49) and minimal tornado exposure.
Significantly safer than surrounding counties
Clark County's risk profile substantially outperforms neighboring Comanche and Meade Counties, particularly in flood resilience. Its southwestern high plains position provides natural protection from severe precipitation and tornado activity affecting adjacent regions.
Wildfire risk overshadows other hazards
Wildfire risk scores 87.91 in Clark County, representing the sole significant natural hazard despite the county's minimal composite risk. All other hazard categories rank well below state and national averages.
Focus on wildfire-specific protection
Homeowners should prioritize wildfire coverage and fire-resistant property improvements over comprehensive multi-hazard insurance. Standard homeowner's policies with wildfire protection and defensible space maintenance provide sufficient protection for Clark County residents.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clark County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clark County
Risk Verdict
Clark County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 7th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 7th percentile score positions Clark County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (15th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile), flood (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Clark County's primary hazard at the 88th percentile nationally. For Clark County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 26th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Clark County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Kansas county average, Clark County's composite score runs 22.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Clark County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clark County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Clark County?
How does Clark County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Clark County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Clark County a safe place to live?
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.