riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Sheridan County Disaster Risk

Sheridan County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#94

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Sheridan County

Risk Verdict

Sheridan County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 6th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Sheridan County, scoring in the 18th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 16th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (4th), flood (2th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Sheridan 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 wildfire 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

Sheridan County is notably safer than the average county in Kansas. Its composite risk score is 23.7 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Sheridan County, KS?
Sheridan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Sheridan County?
Sheridan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (18th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 18th 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 Sheridan County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Sheridan County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sheridan County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Sheridan County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Sheridan County's tornado risk is at the 18th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Sheridan County is at the 2th 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 Sheridan County a safe place to live?
Sheridan County's composite risk score of 6th 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 tornado at the 18th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hodgeman County

Kansas

-0.2

Very Low

6th percentile

Clark County

Kansas

+1.0

Very Low

7th percentile

Rush County

Kansas

-1.2

Very Low

5th 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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