riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

McPherson County Disaster Risk

McPherson County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Advisory: McPherson County

Risk Verdict

McPherson County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 39th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for McPherson County, scoring in the 77th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 67th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (33th), earthquake (24th), hurricane (0th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, McPherson County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

McPherson County is significantly riskier than the average county in Kansas. Its composite risk score is 9.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against McPherson County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in McPherson County, KS?
McPherson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 McPherson County?
McPherson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (77th percentile), wildfire (67th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 77th 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 McPherson County risk compare to the Kansas average?
McPherson County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means McPherson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is McPherson County at risk for tornado?
Yes, McPherson County's tornado risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, McPherson County is at the 33th 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 McPherson County higher risk than average?
McPherson County's composite risk score of 39th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (77th percentile), along with wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Harvey County

Kansas

-0.3

Very Low

39th percentile

Stevens County

Kansas

+0.8

Very Low

40th percentile

Barber County

Kansas

+1.1

Very Low

40th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

Explore more data for McPherson County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score