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

Gove County Disaster Risk

Gove County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#98

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Gove County, Kansas

Gove County is among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 4.77, Gove County earns a Very Low rating and ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States. The county's hazard exposure is roughly 85% below the national average.

Kansas's safest county for disasters

At 4.77, Gove County's score ranks far below Kansas's state average of 29.89—by a factor of six. It represents one of the state's most geographically protected areas from natural disaster threats.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Gove County's risk profile is notably lower than all neighboring counties including Logan, Wallace, and Trego, reflecting its distinctive geographic advantages. The county's northwestern plains location provides exceptional natural protection.

Minimal hazard exposure across all types

Wildfire risk scores just 39.25 and tornado risk reaches 24.27—Gove County's most significant (though still quite modest) threats. Flooding at 5.22 and earthquakes at 6.08 are negligible, making overall disaster risk exceptionally low.

Standard insurance provides ample protection

Gove County residents benefit from minimal natural disaster risk, making basic homeowners insurance adequate for most protection needs. The county's exceptional safety profile means residents can focus resources on other priorities.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Gove County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    39th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    24th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    6th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Gove County

Risk Verdict

Gove County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 5th percentile nationally. Residents of Gove County can use the 5th 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

Wildfire risk is Gove County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 39th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 24th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (6th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 39th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Gove County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary tornado exposure at the 24th percentile nationally means Gove County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Gove County residents.

Regional Context

Gove County falls 25.1 points below Kansas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Gove 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 Gove County, KS?
Gove County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Gove County?
Gove County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (39th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 39th 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 Gove County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Gove County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Gove County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Gove County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Gove County's wildfire risk is at the 39th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Gove County is at the 5th 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 Gove County a safe place to live?
Gove County's composite risk score of 5th 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 wildfire at the 39th 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.