Dickinson County Disaster Risk
Dickinson County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
49th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#20
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
49th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Dickinson County, Kansas
Dickinson County faces moderate disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 49.14, Dickinson County ranks as Relatively Low but sits well above Kansas's county average of 29.89. The score reflects meaningful exposure to tornados, wildfires, and flooding.
Moderate-to-high risk among Kansas counties
Dickinson County's 49.14 score places it in the middle-to-upper range statewide, meaning residents face substantially greater natural disaster risk than the typical Kansas county. The county ranks higher than most of the western plains.
Riskier than western neighbors, safer than eastern ones
Dickinson County's 49.14 score falls between Edwards County (17.56) to the west and Crawford County (71.44) to the east. Central Kansas experiences moderate hazard exposure compared to higher-risk eastern regions.
Tornados and wildfires lead the hazard list
Tornado risk scores 75.95 and wildfire risk reaches 83.94, making these the county's dominant threats. Flood risk at 48.63 presents a secondary but still significant concern for many properties.
Strong wind and hail protection essential
Dickinson County residents should ensure homeowners insurance explicitly covers severe wind, hail, and tornado damage given the 75.95 tornado risk score. Flood insurance warrants serious consideration, especially for properties in flood-prone areas near waterways.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Dickinson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Dickinson County
Risk Verdict
Dickinson County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Dickinson County residents can take confidence from a 49th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Dickinson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (49th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Dickinson County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 84th percentile nationally. Dickinson County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's tornado exposure at the 76th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Dickinson County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
Dickinson County's composite risk score sits 19.3 points above the Kansas county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Dickinson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Dickinson County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Dickinson County?
How does Dickinson County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Dickinson County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Dickinson 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.