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

Labette County Disaster Risk

Labette County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

66th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Labette County, Kansas

Labette faces above-average disaster risk

Labette County's composite risk score of 66.19 places it in the Relatively Low category but exceeds the national average, indicating elevated exposure to multiple hazards. This county experiences more natural disaster risk than most American counties.

Higher-risk Kansas county

Labette's score of 66.19 significantly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county faces multifaceted hazard exposure that demands comprehensive preparedness planning.

Notably riskier than surrounding areas

Labette's risk profile is substantially higher than most neighboring counties, with a score more than double Kansas's state average. Only Lyon County (47.65) and Leavenworth County (66.35) approach Labette's risk level in the region.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes threaten

Labette faces its greatest tornado risk at 83.56, accompanied by significant flood risk (68.73) and moderate earthquake risk (56.27). This combination of three major hazard types makes the county one of Kansas's most multi-hazard-prone areas.

Secure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage

Labette residents should obtain homeowners insurance with flood coverage as a separate rider, since standard policies exclude flood damage. Additionally, verify your coverage extends to tornado and wind damage, and consider earthquake insurance given the county's moderate seismic risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Labette County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Labette County

Risk Verdict

Labette County ranks at the 66th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Labette County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (56th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Labette County ranks at the 84th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Labette County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Flood is the second hazard driver for Labette County at the 69th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Labette County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other Kansas counties, Labette County runs 36.3 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Labette 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 Labette County, KS?
Labette County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 66th 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 Labette County?
Labette County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (84th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 84th 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 Labette County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Labette County's composite risk percentile is 66th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Labette County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Labette County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Labette County's tornado risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Labette County is at the 69th 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.
Why is Labette County higher risk than average?
Labette County's composite risk score of 66th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (84th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.