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

Hamilton County Disaster Risk

Hamilton County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#101

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hamilton County, Kansas

Hamilton County Among America's Safest

Hamilton County's composite risk score of 4.10 places it well below the national average, making it substantially safer than the typical U.S. county. Residents enjoy exceptional protection from major natural disaster threats.

Ranks Among Safest in Kansas

With a composite risk score of 4.10 compared to Kansas's state average of 29.89, Hamilton County stands among the state's lowest-risk communities. This puts residents significantly below typical Kansas natural disaster exposure.

Safest County in Southwest Kansas

Hamilton County's score of 4.10 is exceptionally low compared to neighboring Grant County (13.55) and Gray County (36.74), and matches the safety profile of nearby Greeley County. The county enjoys some of the lowest disaster risk in the region.

Wildfire Your Only Significant Threat

Wildfire risk in Hamilton County registers at 27.48, the county's primary natural hazard, while tornado risk (14.44) and other threats remain minimal. Even wildfire exposure ranks well below state and national averages, reflecting the county's overall safety.

Standard Coverage Provides Strong Protection

Hamilton County's exceptionally low overall risk means standard homeowners and renters insurance provides solid protection for most residents. Ensure your policy covers wildfire and wind damage, and review coverage annually as a precaution—your county's safety profile means disaster-related claims should remain rare.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hamilton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    27th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    14th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    7th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hamilton County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Hamilton County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 4th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Hamilton County's favorable 4th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Hamilton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 27th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 14th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (7th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 27th percentile nationally for wildfire, Hamilton 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 14th percentile nationally means Hamilton County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Hamilton County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Hamilton County is 25.8 composite risk points below the Kansas state mean, meaning most other Kansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, KS?
Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (27th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 27th 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 Hamilton County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Hamilton 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 Hamilton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Hamilton County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hamilton County's wildfire risk is at the 27th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Hamilton County is at the 1th 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 Hamilton County a safe place to live?
Hamilton 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 27th 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.