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

Wabaunsee County Disaster Risk

Wabaunsee County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#73

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wabaunsee County, Kansas

Wabaunsee faces low but notable risk

With a composite risk score of 14.63, Wabaunsee County remains well below the national average and carries a "Very Low" rating. However, your county's risk profile is notably higher than several neighboring plains counties.

Mid-range safety within Kansas

Wabaunsee's score of 14.63 sits below the state average of 29.89, placing it in the safer half of Kansas counties. Eastern Kansas's more variable terrain explains your slightly elevated but still manageable risk.

Higher wildfire risk than neighbors

Wabaunsee County (14.63) faces elevated wildfire risk (88.61) compared to neighboring counties, driven by dense grasslands and woodland cover. Your tornado risk (33.43) aligns with the broader region.

Wildfire and flooding your twin threats

Wildfire risk dominates at 88.61, the county's most significant hazard due to vegetation density and summer drought cycles. Flood risk (27.19) and tornado risk (33.43) present secondary concerns tied to spring weather patterns.

Plan for both fire and flood

Clear brush and dead wood within 100 feet of structures and keep roof gutters clean to prevent fire spread and water damage. Ensure your policy covers both wildfire and flood damage, and maintain detailed home inventory photos.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wabaunsee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Wabaunsee County

Risk Verdict

At the 15th percentile nationally, Wabaunsee County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 15th percentile, Wabaunsee County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wabaunsee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (27th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wabaunsee County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Wabaunsee County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 33th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Wabaunsee County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 15.3 points below the Kansas state average puts Wabaunsee County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Wabaunsee 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 Wabaunsee County, KS?
Wabaunsee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Wabaunsee County?
Wabaunsee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Wabaunsee County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Wabaunsee County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wabaunsee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Wabaunsee County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wabaunsee County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wabaunsee County is at the 27th 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 Wabaunsee County a safe place to live?
Wabaunsee County's composite risk score of 15th 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 wildfire at the 89th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.