Scott County Disaster Risk
Scott County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
46th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#23
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
12th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Scott County, Kansas
Scott County moderately below national risk
Scott County scores 46.44 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category and below the national average. This profile reflects a balanced hazard exposure across multiple threat categories.
Mid-range risk for Kansas counties
Scott County's 46.44 score exceeds the Kansas state average of 29.89, but remains well below the highest-risk counties. This positions the county in the moderate-risk range within the state's distribution.
Moderate risk in its region
Scott County's 46.44 score sits between the very-low-risk central Kansas corridor (Russell, Rooks, Rush) and the high-risk eastern tier. It represents a transitional zone where hazard exposure increases compared to immediate western neighbors.
Tornado is the leading hazard
Tornado risk of 38.52 represents Scott County's primary threat, moderate for Kansas but notable nonetheless. Earthquake risk at 21.82 is Scott County's second-highest individual hazard, with wildfire (22.04) and flood (12.09) presenting lesser concerns.
Wind and earthquake coverage recommended
Prioritize tornado and wind coverage in your homeowner's insurance given the 38.52 tornado risk, and consider earthquake insurance given the 21.82 earthquake risk. Standard flood insurance should be evaluated based on property location and elevation relative to flood zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Scott County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Scott County
Risk Verdict
Scott County's FEMA risk score places it at the 46th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. The 46th percentile national ranking is one lens; Scott County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Scott County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 39th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 22th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (22th percentile), flood (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 39th percentile nationally makes Scott County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Scott County at the 22th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. In Scott County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.
Regional Context
The Kansas county average is 16.6 composite points below Scott County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Scott County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Scott County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Scott County?
How does Scott County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Scott County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Scott 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.