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

Comanche County Disaster Risk

Comanche County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

20th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#54

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Comanche County, Kansas

Comanche County's disaster risk is very low

With a composite risk score of 20.23, Comanche County ranks as Very Low—well below the national average. This score reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards across the region.

Among Kansas's safest counties

Comanche County's score of 20.23 ranks it in the lowest tier statewide, significantly below Kansas's county average of 29.89. Few Kansas counties experience lower overall natural disaster risk.

One of the region's safest areas

Comanche County's very low risk profile is comparable to Edwards County (17.56) and Decatur County (11.29) nearby. The county benefits from lower hazard exposure than most of western Kansas.

Wildfire and tornado present modest threats

Wildfire risk scores highest at 94.62, driven by dry conditions and grassland exposure typical of the High Plains. Tornado risk at 29.26 remains substantially lower than state averages, making this the county's secondary concern.

Basic coverage meets most needs here

Standard homeowners insurance covering wind and hail damage provides solid protection for Comanche County residents. Given the very low overall risk profile, comprehensive disaster coverage beyond standard policies is unlikely to be cost-effective for most households.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Comanche County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    29th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    14th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Comanche County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Comanche County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 20th percentile. Even at the 20th percentile, Comanche County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Comanche County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (14th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile), flood (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 95th percentile nationally for wildfire, Comanche County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary tornado exposure at the 29th percentile nationally means Comanche County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Comanche County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Comanche County is 9.7 composite risk points below the Kansas state mean, meaning most other Kansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Comanche 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 Comanche County, KS?
Comanche County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 20th 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 Comanche County?
Comanche County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (95th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile), flooding (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 95th 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 Comanche County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Comanche County's composite risk percentile is 20th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Comanche County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Comanche County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Comanche County's wildfire risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Comanche County is at the 3th 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 Comanche County a safe place to live?
Comanche County's composite risk score of 20th 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 95th 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.