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

Jackson County Disaster Risk

Jackson County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

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 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% 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 Jackson County, Kansas

Jackson County's Risk: Still Below Average

Jackson County scores 21.53 on the composite risk scale, classifying it as Very Low despite exceeding some neighbors. This remains comfortably below the national average, though specific hazards deserve targeted attention.

Mid-Range Safety Among Kansas Counties

Jackson's 21.53 composite score places it below the Kansas average of 29.89, indicating better-than-average state-level protection. The county sits in the safer half of Kansas's disaster risk distribution.

More Exposed Than Western Neighbors

Jackson (21.53) carries higher risk than Haskell (15.01) but lower than Kingman (35.56) and Jefferson (19.66). Its wildfire exposure at 89.19 stands out as the county's distinguishing risk factor relative to surrounding counties.

Wildfire Risk Dominates Jackson County

Wildfire risk soars to 89.19, making it the county's overwhelming hazard concern and one of Kansas's highest wildfire exposures. Tornadoes (48.76) and floods (27.00) represent secondary but meaningful threats.

Wildfire Insurance Is Non-Negotiable

Every Jackson County homeowner must confirm wildfire coverage—this is your county's critical exposure. Establish 100+ feet of cleared defensible space if possible, ensure your roof is fire-resistant, and keep gutters vegetation-free year-round.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jackson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jackson County

Risk Verdict

At the 22th percentile nationally, Jackson County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 22th percentile score positions Jackson 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 Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (27th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jackson County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Jackson County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 49th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Jackson County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 8.4 points below the Kansas state average puts Jackson County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Jackson 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 Jackson County, KS?
Jackson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Jackson County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Jackson County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jackson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Jackson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jackson County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jackson 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 Jackson County a safe place to live?
Jackson County's composite risk score of 22th 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 89th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Osborne County

Kansas

-0.1

Very Low

21th percentile

Marshall County

Kansas

-0.1

Very Low

21th percentile

Smith County

Kansas

-0.3

Very Low

21th percentile

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.

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