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

Seward County Disaster Risk

Seward County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

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

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Seward County, Kansas

Seward County below national average risk

Seward County scores 42.30 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Very Low" category and below the national average. This favorable profile reflects managed exposure despite some elevated individual hazard scores.

Below-average risk for Kansas

Seward County's 42.30 score exceeds the Kansas state average of 29.89, positioning it in the moderate range for Kansas counties. However, it remains substantially safer than the highest-risk counties like Sedgwick (96.60) and Saline (66.16).

Moderate risk in southwestern Kansas

Seward County's 42.30 score is higher than neighboring Scott County (46.44), placing it in the moderate-risk band of southwestern Kansas. It reflects the region's transitional hazard profile between very-low-risk central counties and higher-risk areas eastward.

Wildfire and tornado lead hazards

Wildfire risk of 88.39 and tornado risk of 68.99 represent Seward County's primary threats, both substantial hazards requiring preparation. Earthquake risk at 41.09 is elevated compared to most Kansas counties, adding a secondary concern.

Prioritize wildfire and tornado coverage

Homeowners should ensure comprehensive wildfire protection and wind/tornado coverage in their insurance, given the county's 88.39 wildfire and 68.99 tornado risks. Consider earthquake insurance as a supplemental policy given the 41.09 earthquake risk, unusual for Kansas but meaningful in Seward County.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Seward County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    41th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Seward County

Risk Verdict

Seward County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 42th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Seward County's favorable 42th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Seward County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (41th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Seward County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 69th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Seward County residents.

Regional Context

At 12.4 points above the Kansas state average, Seward County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Kansas county.

Is your household prepared for Seward 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 Seward County, KS?
Seward County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Seward County?
Seward County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), tornado (69th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 88th 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 Seward County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Seward County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Seward County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Seward County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Seward County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Seward 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.
Why is Seward County higher risk than average?
Seward County's composite risk score of 42th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (88th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Miami County

Kansas

+0.8

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Franklin County

Kansas

+1.4

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Geary County

Kansas

-1.7

Very Low

41th percentile

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.

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