Norton County Disaster Risk
Norton County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
20th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#56
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
10th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 48% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Norton County, Kansas
Norton County: low risk below state average
Norton County's composite risk score of 19.78 sits comfortably below Kansas's state average of 29.89, earning a very low risk rating nationally. This county faces substantially less natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties, positioning residents in a safer-than-average zone.
Well protected within Kansas
Norton County ranks among the safer Kansas counties for natural disaster risk, scoring roughly one-third below the state average. Its solid safety profile reflects relatively low exposure across most major hazard categories.
Safer than Graham and Decatur
Norton County's 19.78 score outperforms neighboring Graham and Decatur Counties, which face higher overall risk exposure in northwest Kansas. The county benefits from a favorable hazard profile relative to its immediate peers.
Tornado poses the main threat
Tornado risk (47.77) is Norton County's dominant natural hazard, though it remains below state tornado averages for Kansas. Wildfire risk (31.30) ranks second, while flood risk is minimal at 9.73 and earthquake risk is low at 9.64.
Prioritize tornado and wind protection
Norton County homeowners should ensure comprehensive wind and tornado coverage through their standard homeowner's policy, as this represents the county's primary natural disaster exposure. Maintain a safe room or shelter plan and review coverage annually before severe weather season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Norton County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Norton County
Risk Verdict
Norton County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 20th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 20th percentile, Norton County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Norton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 48th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (10th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Norton County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 48th percentile nationally. In Norton County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 31th percentile nationally means Norton County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Norton County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Norton County households.
Regional Context
Compared to the Kansas county average, Norton County's composite score runs 10.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Norton County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Norton County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Norton County?
How does Norton County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Norton County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Norton County a safe place to live?
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.