Cowley County Disaster Risk
Cowley County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
69th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cowley County, Kansas
Cowley County faces elevated disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 69.12, Cowley County ranks as Relatively Low but sits well above Kansas's average of 29.89. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazards, particularly tornados and flooding.
Mid-range risk among Kansas counties
Cowley County's score of 69.12 places it in the upper-middle tier for Kansas, meaning it experiences higher disaster risk than most state counties. The county faces notably greater exposure than neighboring counties in western portions of the state.
Considerably riskier than surrounding areas
Cowley County's 69.12 score far exceeds Edwards County (17.56) to the west and Doniphan County (13.99) to the north. South-central Kansas presents substantially higher natural disaster risk than the plains to its flanks.
Tornados and flooding dominate the hazard mix
Tornado risk reaches 91.03—among the state's highest—while flood risk scores 56.30, reflecting the county's position in Kansas's Tornado Alley. These two hazards account for the vast majority of Cowley County's composite risk.
Comprehensive coverage essential here
Cowley County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that explicitly covers wind and hail damage from severe storms and tornados. Flood insurance should be seriously considered given the 56.30 flood risk score, especially for properties in or near flood-prone areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cowley County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cowley County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 69th, Cowley County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Cowley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (56th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 92th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Cowley County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's tornado exposure at the 91th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Cowley County residents.
Regional Context
At 39.2 points above the Kansas state average, Cowley County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Kansas county.
Is your household prepared for Cowley County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cowley County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Cowley County?
How does Cowley County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Cowley County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Cowley County higher risk than average?
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.