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

Graham County Disaster Risk

Graham County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#100

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Graham County, Kansas

Graham County's Disaster Risk: Well Below National Average

Graham County's composite risk score of 4.33 places it in the very low risk category, far safer than the typical U.S. county. The county faces significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most American communities, making it one of the more resilient places to call home.

Among Kansas's Safest Counties

With a composite risk score of 4.33 compared to Kansas's state average of 29.89, Graham County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the state. This puts residents well below the typical disaster exposure their fellow Kansans face.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Graham County's score of 4.33 outperforms neighboring counties like Grant County (13.55) and Gray County (36.74), making it one of the safest communities in the region. Only Greeley County and Hamilton County rival Graham's low-risk profile in western Kansas.

Wildfire and Tornado Watch Your Biggest Concerns

Wildfire risk scores 33.02 and tornado risk reaches 24.62 in Graham County—your two primary natural hazards to monitor. Even so, both threats remain well below the state average, reflecting the county's overall resilience to natural disasters.

Standard Coverage Protects Your Investment

While Graham County's low risk profile means you're safer than most, basic homeowners and renters insurance remains essential to cover unexpected losses from fire or severe weather. Review your policy annually to ensure adequate coverage for wildfire and wind damage, the county's main exposures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Graham County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    33th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    25th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    4th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Graham County

Risk Verdict

Graham County's overall natural disaster score at the 4th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A 4th percentile score positions Graham County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Graham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 33th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 25th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (4th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 33th percentile nationally, Graham 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 Graham County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 25th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Graham County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Graham County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Graham County's composite risk score sits 25.6 points below the Kansas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Graham 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 Graham County, KS?
Graham County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Graham County?
Graham County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (33th percentile), tornado (25th percentile), flooding (4th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 33th 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 Graham County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Graham County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Graham County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Graham County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Graham County's wildfire risk is at the 33th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Graham County is at the 4th 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 Graham County a safe place to live?
Graham County's composite risk score of 4th 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 33th 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.