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

Lane County Disaster Risk

Lane County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#103

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lane County, Kansas

Lane ranks among America's safest

Lane County's composite risk score of just 2.32 places it in the Very Low category, making it one of the safest counties in the nation. This exceptionally low rating means residents face minimal exposure to most major natural disasters.

Kansas's lowest-risk county

Lane County's score of 2.32 is by far the lowest in Kansas, less than one-tenth of the state average of 29.89. No other Kansas county comes close to Lane's exceptional safety profile.

Safest county in its region

Lane County's risk score is substantially lower than neighboring Logan County (7.38) and Lincoln County (13.52), both also considered very safe. Lane stands out as a natural disaster safe haven on the western Kansas plains.

Wildfire is Lane's main concern

Wildfire risk at 28.24 represents Lane County's highest natural hazard exposure, though this remains below statewide averages. Tornado risk scores just 21.91, making both threats relatively minor compared to most Kansas counties.

Standard homeowners insurance usually sufficient

Lane County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance provides robust protection for most residents. However, those in rural or grassland areas should still verify wildfire coverage is included in their policy.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lane County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    28th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    22th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    10th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lane County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Lane County ranks at the 2th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Lane County residents can take confidence from a 2th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lane County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 28th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 22th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (10th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lane County sits at the 28th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Lane 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 22th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Lane 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 27.6 points below the Kansas state average, Lane County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Lane 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 Lane County, KS?
Lane County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Lane County?
Lane County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (28th percentile), tornado (22th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 28th 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 Lane County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Lane County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lane County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Lane County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lane County's wildfire risk is at the 28th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Lane County is at the 2th 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 Lane County a safe place to live?
Lane County's composite risk score of 2th 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 28th 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.