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

Stevens County Disaster Risk

Stevens County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% 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

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stevens County, Kansas

Stevens leans toward low national risk

Stevens County's composite risk score of 40.04 slightly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89 but remains below many U.S. counties, earning a very low risk rating. Most residents face manageable natural disaster exposure.

Mid-range county within Kansas

At 40.04, Stevens County ranks in the middle tier of Kansas counties—safer than a few peers but less secure than most of the state. Wildfire and tornado vulnerabilities distinguish it locally.

Slightly elevated risk compared to neighbors

While adjacent Grant and Seward counties maintain lower composite scores, Stevens's 40.04 represents a notable step up in overall exposure. Wildfire and earthquake risks drive this distinction.

Wildfire and tornado require attention

Wildfire risk reaches 74.59 and tornado risk 41.03—Stevens's two major exposures that significantly outpace other hazards. Earthquake risk also runs higher here at 28.69 compared to neighboring counties.

Confirm wildfire and wind coverage

With wildfire at 74.59 and tornado at 41.03, Stevens County residents should verify robust fire and wind/hail coverage in their homeowners policies. Defensible space around structures offers additional wildfire protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stevens County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Stevens County

Risk Verdict

Stevens County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 40th percentile nationally. At the 40th percentile nationally, Stevens County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Stevens County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (29th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 75th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Stevens 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 41th percentile nationally means Stevens County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Stevens County residents.

Regional Context

At 10.2 points above the Kansas state average, Stevens County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Kansas county.

Is your household prepared for Stevens 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 Stevens County, KS?
Stevens County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Stevens County?
Stevens County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (75th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 75th 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 Stevens County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Stevens County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Stevens County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Stevens County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Stevens County's wildfire risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Stevens County is at the 5th 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 Stevens County higher risk than average?
Stevens County's composite risk score of 40th percentile is above the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (75th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.