Marion County Disaster Risk
Marion County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
38th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#33
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
36th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 27% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Marion County, Kansas
Marion County's risk profile
Marion County scores 37.98 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting above Kansas's state average of 29.89. This places the county in the lower-risk tier nationally, where most communities experience manageable natural disaster exposure.
Mid-range risk among Kansas counties
Marion County ranks in the middle of Kansas's 105 counties for overall disaster risk, neither among the state's safest nor most exposed communities. Its Very Low rating reflects exposure to multiple hazard types rather than a single dominant threat.
Riskier than most neighbors
Marion County's 37.98 score exceeds neighboring McPherson County (39.22) and Marshall County (21.41), though all three share elevated wildfire risk. Marion sits between Marshall's lower overall exposure and McPherson's higher tornado vulnerability.
Wildfire and tornado threat
Wildfires pose the highest relative risk here with a score of 78.09, making defensible space around structures essential. Tornadoes rank second at 69.05, requiring reliable early warning systems and a practiced family safety plan.
Secure coverage for fire and wind
Marion County residents should verify comprehensive homeowners coverage including wildfire protection and ensure tornado/wind deductibles are affordable. A windstorm rider or enhanced homeowners policy protects against the county's two dominant hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Marion County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Marion County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Marion County ranks at the 38th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Marion County's favorable 38th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Marion County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (36th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Marion County sits at the 78th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Marion 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 69th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Marion 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
The Kansas county average is 8.1 composite points below Marion County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Marion County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Marion County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Marion County?
How does Marion County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Marion County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Marion County higher risk than average?
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.