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

Doniphan County Disaster Risk

Doniphan County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#76

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

17th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Doniphan County, Kansas

Doniphan County has very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 13.99, Doniphan County ranks Very Low—well below the national average. The county enjoys minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Among Kansas's safest counties

Doniphan County's 13.99 score ranks it among the lowest-risk counties in Kansas, significantly below the state average of 29.89. Only a handful of Kansas counties experience lower overall natural disaster exposure.

Among the region's safest areas

Doniphan County's 13.99 score is comparable to nearby Decatur County (11.29) and Edwards County (17.56). Northeast Kansas offers among the state's lowest natural hazard exposure.

Tornado risk outpaces other hazards

Tornado risk at 57.44 is Doniphan County's most significant threat, though still below state averages for high-risk counties. All other hazards—wildfire (51.84), flood (16.63), and earthquake (19.82)—score considerably lower.

Basic coverage meets typical needs

Standard homeowners insurance covering wind and hail damage provides solid protection for Doniphan County residents given the very low overall risk profile. Most households will not find specialized disaster insurance necessary or cost-effective.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Doniphan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    20th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Doniphan County

Risk Verdict

At the 14th percentile nationally, Doniphan County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Doniphan County can use the 14th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Doniphan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (20th percentile), flood (17th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Doniphan County ranks at the 57th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Doniphan County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 52th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Doniphan County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Doniphan County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

A composite score 15.9 points below the Kansas state average puts Doniphan County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Doniphan 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 Doniphan County, KS?
Doniphan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Doniphan County?
Doniphan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (57th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), flooding (17th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 57th 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 Doniphan County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Doniphan County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Doniphan County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Doniphan County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Doniphan County's tornado risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Doniphan County is at the 17th 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 Doniphan County a safe place to live?
Doniphan County's composite risk score of 14th 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 tornado at the 57th 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.