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

Morris County Disaster Risk

Morris County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morris County, Kansas

Morris County's low risk profile

Morris County scores 27.45 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting slightly below Kansas's state average of 29.89. This places the county in a favorable risk tier nationally.

Below-average risk for Kansas

Morris County ranks in the lower-risk tier among Kansas's 105 counties, with below-average exposure across most hazard types. Its Very Low rating reflects one of the state's more favorable natural disaster profiles.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Morris County's 27.45 score sits below Marshall (21.41) but outperforms Marion (37.98) and McPherson (39.22). The county benefits from a relatively balanced, moderate-risk geographic position.

Wildfire the leading concern

Wildfire risk reaches 84.06, the highest hazard in Morris County and significantly elevated compared to most statewide peers. Tornado exposure ranks second at 54.20, representing a secondary but notable threat.

Wildfire preparedness priority

Morris County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with robust wildfire coverage and clear vegetation around home perimeters. Standard policies typically cover wildfire damage, but verifying adequate limits and low deductibles ensures solid protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morris County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    28th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morris County

Risk Verdict

At the 27th percentile nationally, Morris County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Being ranked at the 27th percentile nationally is an advantage for Morris County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Morris County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (28th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Morris County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Morris County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 54th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Morris County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 2.4 points from the Kansas average, making Morris County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Morris 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 Morris County, KS?
Morris County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Morris County?
Morris County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (84th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 84th 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 Morris County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Morris County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Morris County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Morris County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Morris County's wildfire risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Morris County is at the 28th 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 Morris County a safe place to live?
Morris County's composite risk score of 27th 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 84th 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.