Montgomery County Disaster Risk
Montgomery County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
73th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#8
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
70th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 48% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 35% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Montgomery County, Kansas
Montgomery County's elevated exposure
Montgomery County scores 73.38 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and nearly tripling Kansas's state average of 29.89. This places the county among the nation's higher-risk communities for natural disasters.
Kansas's highest-risk county
Montgomery County ranks as the riskiest county in Kansas based on composite scores, with exposure to nearly every hazard type at elevated levels. Its Relatively Low rating reflects the inherent baseline safety of Kansas overall despite exceptional local risk.
Far exceeds regional counterparts
Montgomery County's 73.38 score dwarfs all neighboring counties by a massive margin, with the next-highest peer at Marion's 37.98. This exceptional risk profile makes Montgomery a clear regional outlier.
Tornado crisis-level threat
Tornado risk soars to 88.55, the highest in Kansas and representing an exceptional threat requiring serious preparedness. Flooding ranks second at 70.48, with wildfire and earthquake risks also elevated at 70.23 and 48.03 respectively.
Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage critical
Montgomery County residents must maintain storm shelters and ensure homeowners policies cover tornado, hail, wind, and flood damage with low deductibles. Flood insurance is essential, and consultation with an agent about bundled coverage addressing all four major hazards is strongly advised.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Montgomery County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Montgomery County
Risk Verdict
Montgomery County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Montgomery County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Montgomery County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (70th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado risk is Montgomery County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 89th percentile nationally. For Montgomery County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 70th percentile nationally means Montgomery County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Montgomery County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.
Regional Context
Montgomery County's composite risk score sits 43.5 points above the Kansas county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Montgomery County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Montgomery County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Montgomery County?
How does Montgomery County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Montgomery County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Montgomery 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.