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

Wichita County Disaster Risk

Wichita County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#90

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% 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 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wichita County, Kansas

Wichita County maintains minimal risk

At 8.17, Wichita County scores significantly below the national average with a "Very Low" rating for natural disaster risk. Your county ranks among the safer regions nationwide for natural hazard exposure.

Among Kansas's lowest-risk counties

Wichita County's 8.17 score sits well below the state average of 29.89, placing it in the safest tier of Kansas counties. Your location in the southwest provides exceptional protection across hazard categories.

Low risk consistent across region

Wichita County (8.17) aligns with nearby Trego County (2.70) and Wallace County (1.18) in the very-low-risk category. This western Kansas corridor represents one of America's safest natural disaster zones.

Wildfire and tornado minor concerns

Wildfire risk (9.96) and tornado risk (17.97) are your county's leading hazards, though both remain low in absolute terms. Earthquake (8.94) and flood (4.39) risks present negligible exposure.

Basic preparedness covers your needs

Maintain a basic disaster kit with water, flashlight, and first-aid supplies, and review your homeowners policy annually. Clear gutters of debris and trim tree branches away from your roof to minimize wildfire and water damage risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wichita County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    18th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    10th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wichita County

Risk Verdict

Wichita County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 8th percentile nationally. Residents of Wichita County can use the 8th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Wichita County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 18th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 10th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (9th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 18th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Wichita County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 10th percentile nationally means Wichita County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Wichita County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

Wichita County falls 21.7 points below Kansas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Wichita 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 Wichita County, KS?
Wichita County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 Wichita County?
Wichita County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (18th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), flooding (4th 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 Wichita County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Wichita County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wichita County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Wichita County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Wichita County's tornado risk is at the 18th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Wichita County is at the 4th 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 Wichita County a safe place to live?
Wichita County's composite risk score of 8th 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

Kearny County

Kansas

+0.2

Very Low

8th percentile

Cheyenne County

Kansas

+0.2

Very Low

8th percentile

Woodson County

Kansas

-0.4

Very Low

8th 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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