Ellsworth County Disaster Risk
Ellsworth County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
15th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#70
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
16th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Ellsworth County, Kansas
Ellsworth County sits comfortably safe
With a composite risk score of 15.17, Ellsworth County earns a Very Low rating and ranks among America's safest counties for natural disasters. The county's risk profile is roughly half the national average.
One of Kansas's lowest-risk counties
Ellsworth County's 15.17 score falls well below the Kansas state average of 29.89, placing it in the state's safest tier. Residents benefit from favorable geographic positioning that protects against most major hazards.
Lower risk than regional peers
Ellsworth County's risk sits notably below surrounding counties like Rush and Barton, with particularly strong advantages in earthquake and flood exposure. The county's central location provides natural protection across multiple hazard types.
Wildfire and tornado are secondary threats
Wildfire risk scores 77.39 and tornado risk reaches 51.27, representing Ellsworth County's principal concerns despite the county's overall low-risk status. Flooding, earthquakes, and hurricanes pose minimal danger.
Basic coverage meets most needs
Standard homeowners insurance adequately protects against tornado damage, the county's more likely threat. Given very low flood and earthquake risk, basic policies typically provide sufficient protection for Ellsworth County residents.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Ellsworth County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Ellsworth County
Risk Verdict
Ellsworth County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 15th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Even at the 15th percentile, Ellsworth County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Ellsworth County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Ellsworth County's primary hazard at the 77th percentile nationally. For Ellsworth 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 51th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Ellsworth 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, Ellsworth County's composite score runs 14.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Ellsworth County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Ellsworth County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Ellsworth County?
How does Ellsworth County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Ellsworth County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Ellsworth County a safe place to live?
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.