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

Grant County Disaster Risk

Grant County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#77

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grant County, Kansas

Grant County Well Below National Disaster Risk

Grant County's composite risk score of 13.55 places it firmly in the very low risk category, significantly safer than the average U.S. county. Residents enjoy well-below-average exposure to most major natural disaster types.

Low Risk Across Kansas

Grant County scores 13.55 on the composite risk scale, less than half of Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking among the state's safest counties. This puts Grant County residents in a notably more resilient position than most Kansans.

Safer Than Gray County, Similar to Graham

Grant County's risk score of 13.55 is considerably lower than Gray County's 36.74 but slightly higher than neighboring Graham County's 4.33. The county sits in the lower tier of regional risk exposure, particularly for western Kansas communities.

Wildfire Dominates Grant's Hazard Profile

Wildfire risk in Grant County reaches 51.11—the county's most significant threat and notably elevated compared to other hazards like tornado risk (30.15) and flood risk (3.12). This western Kansas exposure to grassland and rangeland fires deserves special attention in your disaster planning.

Prioritize Wildfire Coverage in Your Plan

Standard homeowners insurance in Grant County should emphasize wildfire and wind damage protection given the elevated wildfire threat. Consider defensible space maintenance around your property and consult your agent about coverage limits for structures on larger or rural properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grant County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    30th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    16th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grant County

Risk Verdict

Grant County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 14th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 14th percentile nationally is an advantage for Grant County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Grant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 30th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (16th percentile), flood (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Grant County's primary hazard at the 51th percentile nationally. For Grant 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 30th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Grant 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, Grant County's composite score runs 16.3 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Grant 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 Grant County, KS?
Grant County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Grant County?
Grant County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (51th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile), flooding (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 51th 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 Grant County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Grant County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Grant County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Grant County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Grant County's wildfire risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grant County is at the 3th 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 Grant County a safe place to live?
Grant County's composite risk score of 14th 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 51th 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.