Rawlins County Disaster Risk
Rawlins County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
5th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#97
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
7th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Rawlins County, Kansas
Rawlins County: Kansas's safest county
With an exceptionally low composite risk score of 4.83, Rawlins County is dramatically safer than Kansas's state average of 29.89 and ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the entire nation. The county experiences minimal exposure to major natural disasters.
Distinctly safer than nearly all peers
Rawlins County ranks at the very bottom of Kansas's natural disaster risk hierarchy, with all hazard scores well below state norms. The county's minimal composite risk reflects consistently low exposure across tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.
Dramatically safer than neighboring counties
Rawlins's composite score of 4.83 is lower than any neighboring county, including Republic (18.92), Phillips (40.52), and Pawnee (31.62). The county represents one of Kansas's safest geographical zones for natural disaster risk.
Even major risks are quite modest here
Wildfire presents the highest relative hazard at 36.77, though this remains far below state and national norms for this peril. Tornado risk at 28.82 and flood risk at 7.03 are both exceptionally low for Kansas.
Standard coverage suffices for Rawlins
Rawlins County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance without specialized storm or wildfire riders, as natural disaster risk is minimal. Maintain routine property maintenance and standard emergency preparedness, but intensive disaster mitigation is unnecessary here.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Rawlins County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Rawlins County
Risk Verdict
Rawlins County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 5th percentile nationally. Even at the 5th percentile, Rawlins County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Rawlins County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (12th percentile), flood (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Rawlins County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 37th percentile nationally. Rawlins County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary tornado exposure at the 29th percentile nationally means Rawlins County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Rawlins County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
The Kansas county average exceeds Rawlins County's score by 25.1 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Rawlins County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Rawlins County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Rawlins County?
How does Rawlins County risk compare to the Kansas average?
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How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Rawlins 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.