Ellis County Disaster Risk
Ellis County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
33th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#39
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
34th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Ellis County, Kansas
Ellis County matches national safety baseline
Ellis County's composite risk score of 32.70 earns a Very Low rating and sits just slightly above the national average, indicating moderate but manageable disaster risk. Residents face typical hazards for a rural Great Plains county.
Slightly above Kansas average for risk
At 32.70, Ellis County edges above Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it in the middle range of the state's 105 counties. The difference is modest—many Kansas counties face greater combined hazard exposure.
Comparable risk to surrounding counties
Ellis County's profile closely mirrors that of nearby Trego and Graham counties, with tornado and wildfire presenting shared regional threats. Flood risk remains moderate across this central Kansas region.
Tornadoes and wildfires dominate hazard mix
Tornado risk scores 57.63 and wildfire risk reaches 60.69, making these Ellis County's primary natural disaster concerns. Flooding presents secondary risk at 34.45, while earthquake and hurricane dangers remain negligible.
Standard homeowners policy covers tornadoes
A comprehensive homeowners insurance policy protects against tornado damage, while considering a wildfire rider provides additional coverage for brush fires. Given moderate flooding risk, reviewing flood insurance eligibility is prudent.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Ellis County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Ellis County
Risk Verdict
Ellis County's overall natural disaster score at the 33th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. The 33th percentile national ranking is one lens; Ellis County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Ellis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (34th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 61th percentile nationally, Ellis County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Ellis County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 58th percentile nationally means Ellis County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Ellis County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Ellis County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Ellis County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Kansas county average, with a 2.8-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Ellis County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Ellis County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Ellis County?
How does Ellis County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Ellis County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Ellis 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.