riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Shawnee County Disaster Risk

Shawnee County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

88th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

90th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Shawnee County

Risk Verdict

Shawnee County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 88th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Shawnee County, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (75th), earthquake (60th), hurricane (0th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Shawnee County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Shawnee County is significantly riskier than the average county in Kansas. Its composite risk score is 58.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Shawnee County, KS?
Shawnee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 88th 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 Shawnee County?
Shawnee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (96th percentile), flooding (90th percentile), wildfire (75th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 96th 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 Shawnee County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Shawnee County's composite risk percentile is 88th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Shawnee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Shawnee County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Shawnee County's tornado risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Shawnee County is at the 90th 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 Shawnee County higher risk than average?
Shawnee County's composite risk score of 88th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (96th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire and earthquake 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

Wyandotte County

Kansas

+1.3

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Johnson County

Kansas

+6.8

Relatively High

95th percentile

Reno County

Kansas

-7.9

Relatively Low

80th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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