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

Decatur County Disaster Risk

Decatur County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#82

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Decatur County, Kansas

Decatur County has minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 11.29, Decatur County ranks Very Low—far below the national average. The county benefits from exceptionally low exposure across most natural hazard categories.

Kansas's safest county

Decatur County's 11.29 score places it at the absolute bottom of the state's disaster risk ranking, well below Kansas's county average of 29.89. Few Kansas residents live in areas with lower overall natural hazard exposure.

Safest area in northwest Kansas

Decatur County's 11.29 score edges out even Comanche County (20.23) and Edwards County (17.56) nearby. The northwest quadrant of Kansas offers some of the state's lowest natural disaster risk.

Wildfire poses the main concern

Wildfire risk at 30.06 represents Decatur County's most significant hazard, typical for High Plains grasslands with dry conditions. All other hazard categories—tornado (27.42), flood (7.19), and earthquake (10.85)—score substantially lower.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Decatur County's very low overall risk profile means standard homeowners policies covering basic wind and hail damage provide adequate protection for most residents. Additional specialized disaster insurance is unlikely to be necessary or cost-effective.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Decatur County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    30th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    27th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    11th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Decatur County

Risk Verdict

Decatur County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 11th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Decatur County's 11th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Decatur County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 30th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 27th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (11th percentile), flood (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Decatur County's primary hazard at the 30th percentile nationally. For Decatur 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 27th percentile nationally means Decatur County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Decatur 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, Decatur County's composite score runs 18.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Decatur 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 Decatur County, KS?
Decatur County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Decatur County?
Decatur County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (30th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile), flooding (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 30th 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 Decatur County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Decatur County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Decatur County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Decatur County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Decatur County's wildfire risk is at the 30th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Decatur County is at the 7th 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 Decatur County a safe place to live?
Decatur County's composite risk score of 11th 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 30th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Sherman County

Kansas

-0.1

Very Low

11th percentile

Ness County

Kansas

-0.8

Very Low

11th percentile

Chautauqua County

Kansas

+0.8

Very Low

12th percentile

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.

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