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

Finney County Disaster Risk

Finney County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Finney County, Kansas

Finney County faces above-average disaster risk

Finney County's composite risk score of 63.74 and Relatively Low rating indicate significantly elevated hazard exposure compared to typical U.S. counties. The county experiences roughly double the national baseline risk across combined disaster types.

Among Kansas's higher-risk counties

At 63.74, Finney County substantially exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking in the state's riskier half for natural disasters. Only a handful of Kansas counties face greater combined hazard exposure.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Finney County's elevated score stands well above neighboring Gray, Haskell, and Kearny counties across multiple hazard categories. The county's southwestern plains location concentrates tornado and wildfire threats.

Tornadoes pose the greatest danger

Tornado risk scores 76.88—Finney County's dominant threat and substantially above state norms. Wildfire exposure at 46.44 and flood risk at 37.75 complete the county's hazard profile, making a multi-hazard protection strategy essential.

Comprehensive coverage is strongly recommended

Finney County residents should prioritize robust homeowners insurance with dedicated tornado coverage and a safe room or shelter. Adding wildfire and flood riders provides critical protection given the county's elevated exposure across multiple hazard types.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Finney County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    46th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Finney County

Risk Verdict

Finney County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Finney County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Finney County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (38th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Finney County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 77th percentile nationally. For Finney County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 46th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Finney County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Finney County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

Finney County's composite risk score sits 33.9 points above the Kansas county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Finney 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 Finney County, KS?
Finney County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Finney County?
Finney County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (77th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile), flooding (38th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 77th 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 Finney County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Finney County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Finney County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Finney County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Finney County's tornado risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Finney County is at the 38th 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.
Why is Finney County higher risk than average?
Finney County's composite risk score of 64th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (77th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.