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

Rush County Disaster Risk

Rush County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#96

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

6th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Rush County, Kansas

Rush County ranks among safest nationally

Rush County's composite risk score of 4.96 places it in the "Very Low" category and well below the national average. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure across nearly all natural hazard categories.

Kansas's lowest-risk county

At 4.96, Rush County's composite risk score is the lowest among all Kansas counties and represents just 17% of the state average of 29.89. This makes Rush County one of the nation's safest locations for natural disaster exposure.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Rush County's 4.96 score is substantially lower than Russell County (12.53), Rooks County (14.34), and all other nearby counties. Its exceptional safety profile stands out across central Kansas.

Minimal hazard exposure overall

Even Rush County's highest individual risk—wildfire at 42.53—remains below-average for Kansas. Tornado (31.46) and flood (6.27) risks are both very low, creating an exceptionally safe county-wide environment.

Basic homeowner's insurance sufficient

Standard homeowner's insurance adequately protects properties in Rush County given the minimal natural disaster exposure. Focus on maintaining standard wind and hail coverage as a reasonable precaution, though catastrophic risk remains extremely low.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Rush County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    43th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    31th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    13th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Rush County

Risk Verdict

Rush County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 5th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 5th percentile score positions Rush County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Rush County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 43th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (13th percentile), flood (6th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Rush County's primary hazard at the 43th percentile nationally. For Rush 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 31th percentile nationally means Rush County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Rush 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

Compared to the Kansas county average, Rush County's composite score runs 24.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Rush 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 Rush County, KS?
Rush County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Rush County?
Rush County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (43th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), flooding (6th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 43th 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 Rush County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Rush County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Rush County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Rush County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Rush County's wildfire risk is at the 43th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Rush County is at the 6th 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 Rush County a safe place to live?
Rush County's composite risk score of 5th 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 43th 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.