Pawnee County Disaster Risk
Pawnee County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
32th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#41
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
21th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Pawnee County, Kansas
Pawnee's risk profile: very low nationally
With a composite risk score of 31.62, Pawnee County sits slightly above the state average of 29.89 and well below the national baseline, earning a Very Low risk rating. This means residents face lower-than-typical exposure to major natural disasters compared to the broader U.S. landscape.
Mid-range hazard exposure in Kansas
Pawnee ranks in the middle tier of Kansas counties for overall disaster risk, positioned comfortably below high-risk counties but with notably elevated tornado and wildfire exposure. The county's 55.28 tornado score and 55.12 wildfire score are the primary drivers of its composite risk.
More exposed than Republic, less than Pratt
Pawnee's risk score of 31.62 falls between Republic County (18.92, one of Kansas's safest) and Pratt County (54.83, significantly higher). Compared to nearby Rawlins County at 4.83, Pawnee residents face notably greater tornado and wildfire risk.
Tornados and wildfires dominate the landscape
Tornadoes present the highest hazard exposure at 55.28, while wildfires rank a close second at 55.12—both notably above the county's overall composite score. Flooding risk is minimal at 20.71, and earthquakes are essentially non-threatening at 19.85.
Prepare for Kansas's classic spring storms
Pawnee residents should prioritize severe storm and tornado coverage in their homeowners insurance, with particular attention to wind damage protection. Create or refresh a tornado safety plan and ensure your property can withstand high winds; storm shelters or reinforced interior rooms are critical investments in tornado country.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Pawnee County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Pawnee County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Pawnee County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 32th percentile. A 32th percentile score positions Pawnee County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Pawnee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (21th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 55th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Pawnee County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Pawnee County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 55th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Pawnee County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Pawnee County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
Pawnee County's composite risk score is within 1.7 points of the Kansas county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Pawnee County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Pawnee County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Pawnee County?
How does Pawnee County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Pawnee County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Pawnee 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.