Geary County Disaster Risk
Geary County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
41th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#27
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
41th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Geary County, Kansas
Geary County sits above national risk baseline
Geary County's composite risk score of 40.59 and Very Low rating indicate moderately elevated hazard exposure compared to typical U.S. counties. Residents experience roughly 40% more combined disaster risk than the national average.
Moderately above Kansas average
At 40.59, Geary County exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it in the state's middle-to-upper range of disaster risk. Many Kansas counties face greater exposure, while several have lower risk profiles.
Similar risk to neighboring counties
Geary County's profile aligns with adjacent Morris and Chase counties, though tornado exposure is notably higher here. The county's central location balances multiple hazard types comparably to surrounding areas.
Tornadoes and wildfires are dominant threats
Tornado risk scores 81.27 and wildfire exposure reaches 81.97, making these Geary County's principal natural disaster concerns. Flooding at 40.78 presents secondary risk, while earthquakes and hurricanes pose minimal danger.
Invest in strong tornado and wildfire defense
Geary County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with robust tornado coverage and a certified safe room or shelter. Adding wildfire protection strengthens overall safety against the county's dominant hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Geary County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Geary County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Geary County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 41th percentile. Geary County residents can take confidence from a 41th 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 Geary County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (41th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 82th percentile nationally for wildfire, Geary County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 81th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Geary County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 10.7 points above the Kansas state average puts Geary County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Geary County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Geary County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Geary County?
How does Geary County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Geary County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Geary 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.