Sedgwick County Disaster Risk
Sedgwick County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
97th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#1
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
96th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 94% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sedgwick County, Kansas
Sedgwick County faces highest national risks
Sedgwick County scores 96.60 on the composite risk scale, ranking in the "Relatively High" category and substantially exceeding the national average. The county faces extreme exposure across flood (96.09), tornado (99.27), and wildfire (94.43) hazards.
Kansas's highest-risk county
At 96.60, Sedgwick County has the highest composite risk score in Kansas, more than triple the state average of 29.89. This singular elevation reflects the county's exceptional vulnerability to multiple catastrophic natural hazards.
Dramatically higher risk than neighbors
Sedgwick County's 96.60 score vastly exceeds all neighboring counties, including Saline County (66.16) and Seward County (42.30). The county stands alone in Kansas as a high-risk disaster zone.
Tornado, flood, and wildfire triple threat
Tornado risk reaches a near-maximum 99.27, flood risk hits 96.09, and wildfire risk scores 94.43—making Sedgwick County vulnerable to three catastrophic hazard types simultaneously. Even earthquake risk of 75.22 significantly exceeds most Kansas counties.
Comprehensive insurance is essential
Sedgwick County homeowners must carry robust wind and tornado coverage, comprehensive flood insurance, and wildfire protection—this is not optional given the county's extreme multi-hazard exposure. Consider a safe room or storm shelter installation and maintain detailed property inventory for all disaster types.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sedgwick County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sedgwick County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard exposure in Sedgwick County is notably high, placing it at the 97th percentile among all U.S. counties. Sedgwick County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Sedgwick County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 96th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (94th percentile), earthquake (75th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 99th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Sedgwick County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Sedgwick County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 96th percentile nationally means Sedgwick County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Sedgwick County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 66.7 points above the Kansas state average puts Sedgwick County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Sedgwick County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sedgwick County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Sedgwick County?
How does Sedgwick County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Sedgwick County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Sedgwick 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.