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

Greenwood County Disaster Risk

Greenwood County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

24th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#48

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% 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 22% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greenwood County, Kansas

Greenwood County: Below-Average National Risk

Greenwood County's composite risk score of 24.49 places it in the very low risk category and below the typical U.S. county's disaster exposure. Residents face less severe natural hazard threats than most Americans, though slightly more than some Kansas peers.

Mid-Range Risk Within Kansas

Greenwood County's score of 24.49 sits slightly below Kansas's state average of 29.89, positioning the county as a lower-risk Kansas community. This puts Greenwood County in the safer half of the state's natural disaster risk rankings.

Moderate Risk for Southeast Kansas

Greenwood County's score of 24.49 falls between Grant County (13.55) to the west and the higher-risk counties to the east, reflecting a moderate position in its region. The county shows considerably lower risk than nearby Harvey County (38.93).

Wildfire Dominates Greenwood's Risk Profile

Wildfire risk in Greenwood County reaches 91.32—by far the county's most significant natural hazard and among the highest in the state. Flood risk at 26.59 presents a secondary concern, while tornado and earthquake threats remain minimal.

Wildfire Insurance Is Your Priority

Greenwood County's exceptionally high wildfire risk of 91.32 makes comprehensive fire and burn coverage essential in your homeowners insurance policy. Work with your agent to ensure adequate limits for structural and contents coverage, and maintain defensible space around your property to reduce exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greenwood County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    24th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Greenwood County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Greenwood County ranks at the 24th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Even at the 24th percentile, Greenwood County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Greenwood County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 27th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (24th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Greenwood County sits at the 91th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Greenwood County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 27th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Greenwood County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 5.4 points below the Kansas state average, Greenwood County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Greenwood 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 Greenwood County, KS?
Greenwood County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 24th 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 Greenwood County?
Greenwood County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Greenwood County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Greenwood County's composite risk percentile is 24th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Greenwood County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Greenwood County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Greenwood County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Greenwood County is at the 27th 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 Greenwood County a safe place to live?
Greenwood County's composite risk score of 24th 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 91th 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.