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

Wallace County Disaster Risk

Wallace County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#105

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wallace County, Kansas

Wallace County's exceptional safety profile

At 1.18, Wallace County has the lowest composite risk score among your peer counties and ranks among the nation's safest. Your county faces minimal natural disaster exposure across all hazard types.

Second safest county in Kansas

Wallace County scores just 1.18 against Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking among the very safest in the state. This remarkably low score reflects balanced risk across all hazard categories.

Safest in the far western region

Wallace County (1.18) edges out Thomas County (9.45) as the safest county in western Kansas. Your neighbors also enjoy very low risk, making this one of America's most disaster-secure regions.

Wildfire poses modest concern

Wildfire risk (30.28) is Wallace County's highest hazard exposure, though still low in absolute terms. Tornado (15.78) and earthquake (7.89) risks remain minimal.

Preventive landscaping ensures safety

Maintain a 30-foot defensible space around structures by removing dead branches and spacing trees to prevent wildfire spread. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers your low-risk profile, but confirm wildfire coverage annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wallace County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    30th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    16th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    8th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wallace County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Wallace County ranks at the 1th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Wallace County's 1th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wallace County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 30th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 16th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (8th percentile), flood (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wallace County sits at the 30th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Wallace County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 16th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Wallace County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 28.7 points below the Kansas state average, Wallace County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Wallace 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 Wallace County, KS?
Wallace County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Wallace County?
Wallace County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (30th percentile), tornado (16th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile), flooding (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 30th 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 Wallace County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Wallace County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wallace County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Wallace County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wallace County's wildfire risk is at the 30th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Wallace County is at the 3th 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 Wallace County a safe place to live?
Wallace County's composite risk score of 1th 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 30th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Greeley County

Kansas

+0.8

Very Low

2th percentile

Lane County

Kansas

+1.1

Very Low

2th percentile

Trego County

Kansas

+1.5

Very Low

3th percentile

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.

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