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

Lincoln County Disaster Risk

Lincoln County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#78

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

16th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Kansas

Lincoln ranks well below national risk

Lincoln County's composite risk score of 13.52 places it in the Very Low category, substantially below the national average. Residents here face minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most Americans.

Kansas's safer counties

Lincoln County's score of 13.52 is less than half the Kansas state average of 29.89, placing it among the state's lowest-risk counties. Only a few Kansas counties match Lincoln's exceptional safety profile.

Safer than Lyon, comparable to Logan

Lincoln's risk score is considerably lower than neighboring Lyon County (47.65), though slightly higher than Logan County (7.38). Lincoln remains a relatively safe area within the central Kansas plains.

Wildfire and tornado as main concerns

Wildfire risk scores 59.32 in Lincoln County, making it the leading hazard despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk at 36.32 represents a secondary but manageable threat.

Ensure wildfire protection included

Lincoln County homeowners should confirm their insurance covers wildfire damage, given the county's elevated wildfire risk score. Standard policies often exclude this hazard, so consider adding a wildfire rider to ensure adequate protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lincoln County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    16th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lincoln County

Risk Verdict

Lincoln County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 14th percentile nationally. A 14th percentile score positions Lincoln 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 Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 59th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Lincoln County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary tornado exposure at the 36th percentile nationally means Lincoln County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Lincoln County residents.

Regional Context

Lincoln County falls 16.4 points below Kansas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, KS?
Lincoln County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (59th percentile), tornado (36th percentile), flooding (16th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 59th 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 Lincoln County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Lincoln County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lincoln County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Lincoln County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lincoln County's wildfire risk is at the 59th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lincoln County is at the 16th 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 Lincoln County a safe place to live?
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 14th 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 59th 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.