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

Pratt County Disaster Risk

Pratt County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pratt County, Kansas

Pratt County faces relatively low national risk

Pratt County's composite risk score of 54.83 significantly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, yet still qualifies as Relatively Low at the national level. The county stands above most Kansas counties but remains safer than many disaster-prone U.S. regions.

One of Kansas's higher-risk counties

Pratt ranks among the top disaster-exposed counties in Kansas, driven by tornado risk scoring 68.58 and wildfire risk at 80.60. These two hazards combine to create one of the state's more challenging disaster environments.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Pratt's composite score of 54.83 is nearly 24 points higher than neighboring Pawnee County (31.62) and substantially above Rawlins County (4.83). The county faces notably greater tornado and wildfire exposure than most of its geographic neighbors.

Tornados and wildfires define the threat

Tornadoes present the most serious hazard at 68.58, followed closely by wildfires at 80.60—both well above the state average. Earthquake risk remains low at 23.54, and flooding is minimal at 15.17.

Storm shelters and fire preparedness are vital

Pratt County residents should invest in a reinforced storm shelter or safe room and ensure comprehensive tornado coverage in their homeowners insurance. Clear vegetation around your property and maintain fire-resistant landscaping, as wildfire risk here exceeds most Kansas counties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pratt County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    24th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Pratt County

Risk Verdict

At the 55th percentile nationally, Pratt County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Pratt County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Pratt County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (24th percentile), flood (15th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Pratt County's primary hazard at the 81th percentile nationally. For Pratt County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 69th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Pratt County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Pratt County falls 24.9 points above Kansas's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Pratt 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 Pratt County, KS?
Pratt County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Pratt County?
Pratt County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), tornado (69th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), flooding (15th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 81th 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 Pratt County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Pratt County's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Pratt County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Pratt County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Pratt County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pratt County is at the 15th 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.
Why is Pratt County higher risk than average?
Pratt County's composite risk score of 55th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (81th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.