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

Wilson County Disaster Risk

Wilson County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#59

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wilson County, Kansas

Wilson County faces low but elevated risk

At 17.97, Wilson County remains below the national average but represents the higher end of your peer group, earning a "Very Low" rating. Your county's composite risk is moderate compared to typical U.S. counties.

Mid-tier safety within Kansas

Wilson County scores 17.97 against Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it solidly in the safer half of state counties. Eastern Kansas's varied geography accounts for your slightly elevated but manageable risk profile.

Higher risk than western plains

Wilson County (17.97) faces notably higher composite risk than western neighbors like Wallace County (1.18) or Wichita County (8.17). Your location in southeast Kansas brings increased exposure to multiple hazard types.

Tornado and wildfire your top threats

Tornado risk (51.62) is Wilson County's highest hazard exposure, making severe spring storms your primary concern. Wildfire risk (58.97) and earthquake risk (26.78) follow, with flood risk (25.73) also notable.

Comprehensive preparation essential here

Build a reinforced safe room below ground or in your home's interior and maintain emergency supplies including water, medications, and important documents. Ensure your policy explicitly covers high winds, hail, and flood damage, and practice tornado drills twice yearly.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wilson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    27th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wilson County

Risk Verdict

Wilson County's overall natural disaster score at the 18th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A 18th percentile score positions Wilson County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wilson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (27th percentile), flood (26th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 59th percentile nationally, Wilson County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Wilson County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 52th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Wilson County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Wilson County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Wilson County's composite risk score sits 11.9 points below the Kansas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Wilson 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 Wilson County, KS?
Wilson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th 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 Wilson County?
Wilson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (59th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), flooding (26th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 59th 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 Wilson County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Wilson County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Kansas state average of 30th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wilson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Wilson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wilson County's wildfire risk is at the 59th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wilson County is at the 26th 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 Wilson County a safe place to live?
Wilson County's composite risk score of 18th 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 59th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Anderson County

Kansas

-0.2

Very Low

18th percentile

Edwards County

Kansas

-0.4

Very Low

18th percentile

Nemaha County

Kansas

-0.5

Very Low

17th 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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