Sumner County Disaster Risk
Sumner County, Kansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
49th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#21
of 105 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
47th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sumner County, Kansas
Sumner exceeds state average, approaches moderate risk
At 48.82, Sumner County's composite risk score substantially exceeds Kansas's mean of 29.89 and approaches moderate territory. The county sits in a higher-exposure bracket compared to most of its state and many national peers.
Second-highest risk county in Kansas
Sumner County's 48.82 score ranks it as the second-most-hazardous county in Kansas, trailing only Shawnee's extreme exposure. This places Sumner in a notably vulnerable position within the state.
Significantly riskier than surrounding counties
Neighboring Cowley, Butler, and Woodson counties all maintain substantially lower risk scores, making Sumner a regional hotspot for natural disaster exposure. The county stands apart as notably more vulnerable than its peers.
Tornado, flood, and wildfire dominate
Tornado risk peaks at 79.01, flood risk reaches 46.72, and wildfire hits 64.79—a trio of serious exposures that far outpace other hazards. These three hazards collectively define Sumner's elevated overall risk.
Multi-hazard coverage is crucial here
Sumner County residents need separate flood insurance and should ensure comprehensive wind/hail coverage given tornado scores of 79.01. Reviewing and upgrading homeowners policies isn't optional in this second-highest-risk county in Kansas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sumner County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sumner County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Sumner County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 49th percentile. The 49th percentile national ranking is one lens; Sumner County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Sumner County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (47th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 79th percentile nationally, Sumner County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 65th percentile nationally means Sumner County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Sumner County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Sumner County is 18.9 composite risk points above the Kansas average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Sumner County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sumner County, KS?
What types of natural hazards affect Sumner County?
How does Sumner County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Is Sumner County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Sumner 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.