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

Republic County Disaster Risk

Republic County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#58

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

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Republic County, Kansas

Republic County ranks among the nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 18.92, Republic County sits well below Kansas's state average of 29.89 and earns a Very Low national risk rating. The county experiences minimal exposure to major natural disasters compared to typical U.S. counties.

Second safest county in Kansas

Republic ranks near the bottom of Kansas's disaster risk hierarchy, exceeded only by Rawlins County (4.83) in overall safety. All four of the county's measurable hazards—tornado, wildfire, flood, and earthquake—score well below state averages.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Republic's composite score of 18.92 is lower than Pawnee (31.62), Phillips (40.52), and Pottawatomie (30.88), approaching the exceptional safety of Rawlins County. The county represents one of north-central Kansas's safest zones.

Wildfire the only notable hazard

Wildfire presents the highest relative risk at 41.48, though this remains below state norms for the peril. Tornado, flood, and earthquake risks all score below 20, making them minimal concerns.

Basic insurance and maintenance suffice

Republic County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized add-ons, as overall natural disaster exposure is low. Focus on routine property upkeep and basic emergency planning rather than intensive hazard mitigation.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Republic County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    41th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    15th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Republic County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Republic County ranks at the 19th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 19th percentile, Republic 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

Wildfire risk is Republic County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 41th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (15th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Republic County sits at the 41th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Republic 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 41th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Republic 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 11.0 points below the Kansas state average, Republic County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Republic 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 Republic County, KS?
Republic County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Republic County?
Republic County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (41th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 41th 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 Republic County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Republic County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Republic County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Republic County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Republic County's wildfire risk is at the 41th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Republic 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.
Is Republic County a safe place to live?
Republic County's composite risk score of 19th percentile is below the Kansas state average of 30th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 41th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.