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

Woodson County Disaster Risk

Woodson County, Kansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#91

of 105 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Woodson County, Kansas

Woodson County enjoys low overall risk

At 7.73, Woodson County scores well below the national average and carries a "Very Low" rating for natural disasters. Your county's exposure to major hazards remains minimal compared to most U.S. regions.

Among Kansas's safer counties

Woodson County scores 7.73 against the state average of 29.89, placing it firmly in the lower-risk category statewide. Your location in east-central Kansas provides solid protection across natural hazard types.

Lower risk than county to the west

Woodson County (7.73) outperforms nearby Wilson County (17.97) in overall safety, though both remain in the very-low-risk tier. You benefit from more moderate topography than eastern-tier neighbors.

Wildfire and earthquake notable concerns

Wildfire risk (75.95) is Woodson County's dominant hazard, driven by woodland coverage and summer drought potential. Earthquake risk (25.73) and tornado risk (26.43) present secondary threats, with flood risk (13.17) minimal.

Prioritize wildfire and quake readiness

Create a defensible space by removing dead trees and brush within 100 feet of structures, and secure heavy furniture to walls for earthquake safety. Confirm your homeowners policy covers both wildfire and earthquake damage, and maintain emergency supplies including bottled water and first-aid kits.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Woodson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    26th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    26th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Woodson County

Risk Verdict

Woodson County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 8th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 8th percentile nationally is an advantage for Woodson County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Woodson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (26th percentile), flood (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Woodson County's primary hazard at the 76th percentile nationally. For Woodson County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 26th percentile nationally means Woodson County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Woodson County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Kansas county average, Woodson County's composite score runs 22.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Woodson 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 Woodson County, KS?
Woodson 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 Woodson County?
Woodson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (76th percentile), tornado (26th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), flooding (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 76th 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 Woodson County risk compare to the Kansas average?
Woodson 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 Woodson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kansas.
Is Woodson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Woodson County's wildfire risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Woodson County is at the 13th 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 Woodson County a safe place to live?
Woodson 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 wildfire at the 76th 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.