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

Hodgeman County Disaster Risk

Hodgeman County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#95

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hodgeman County, Kansas

Hodgeman: Kansas's Lowest-Risk County

Hodgeman County's composite risk score of 5.95 ranks among the nation's safest places, dropping well below the national average. Residents enjoy exceptional natural disaster protection, though wildfire remains a notable regional concern.

Bottom of Kansas Risk Rankings

Hodgeman's 5.95 score is the lowest in our Kansas sample and significantly trails the state average of 29.89. This exceptional safety profile makes it one of the state's most resilient counties for disaster risk.

Safest County in Its Region

Hodgeman (5.95) outperforms all surrounding counties including Kearny (8.37), Haskell (15.01), and Kingman (35.56). Its combination of lower tornado activity and reduced flood exposure creates a notably safer regional pocket.

Wildfire Dominates Hodgeman's Hazard Profile

Wildfire risk reaches 45.61, by far the county's leading hazard and well above the state pattern. Tornado risk at 25.54 and flood risk at 4.33 remain secondary concerns, leaving vegetation management the priority.

Prioritize Wildfire Insurance and Prevention

Homeowners should confirm wildfire coverage is included in property insurance, as standard policies sometimes exclude or limit it. Create at least 30 feet of defensible space around structures and keep roofs and gutters clear of dead vegetation.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hodgeman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    46th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    26th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    8th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hodgeman County

Risk Verdict

Hodgeman County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 6th percentile nationally. Residents of Hodgeman County can use the 6th 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 Hodgeman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (8th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Hodgeman County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 46th percentile nationally. Hodgeman County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's tornado exposure at the 26th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Hodgeman County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Kansas county average exceeds Hodgeman County's score by 23.9 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Hodgeman 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 Hodgeman County, KS?
Hodgeman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Hodgeman County?
Hodgeman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (46th percentile), tornado (26th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile), flooding (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 46th 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 Hodgeman County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Hodgeman County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hodgeman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Hodgeman County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hodgeman County's wildfire risk is at the 46th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Hodgeman 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 Hodgeman County a safe place to live?
Hodgeman County's composite risk score of 6th 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 46th 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.