Ottawa County Disaster Risk
Ottawa County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
17th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#63
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
24th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Ottawa County, Kansas
Ottawa County: very low risk nationwide
Ottawa County's composite risk score of 16.89 sits well below Kansas's state average of 29.89, earning a very low risk rating nationally. Residents face significantly reduced exposure to major natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.
Among Kansas's safest counties
Ottawa County ranks in the safer tier of Kansas counties for natural disaster risk, scoring roughly 43% below the state average. This strong safety profile reflects relatively low exposure across multiple hazard categories statewide.
Lower risk than Republic and Cloud
Ottawa County's 16.89 score outperforms neighboring Republic and Cloud Counties, both facing higher tornado and wildfire exposure in north-central Kansas. The county benefits from a favorable risk profile relative to regional peers.
Wildfire and tornado: manageable hazards
Wildfire risk (72.65) and tornado risk (43.89) represent Ottawa County's primary natural hazards, though both remain below state averages for their respective categories. Flood risk is modest at 23.98, and earthquake risk is minimal at 11.26.
Secure wildfire and wind protection
Ottawa County homeowners should ensure comprehensive wildfire and wind damage coverage through their standard homeowner's policy, reflecting the county's primary hazard exposure. Review your coverage annually and maintain defensible space around your property as a first-line defense against wildfire.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Ottawa County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Ottawa County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Ottawa County ranks at the 17th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Residents of Ottawa County can use the 17th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Ottawa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (24th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ottawa County sits at the 73th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Ottawa 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 44th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Ottawa 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
At 13.0 points below the Kansas state average, Ottawa County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Ottawa County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Ottawa County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Ottawa County?
How does Ottawa County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Ottawa County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Ottawa 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.