Sedgwick County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Sedgwick County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.5, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sedgwick County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 78.70 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $455K in expected annual loss and about 7.09 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sedgwick County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Sedgwick County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Sedgwick County ranks #55 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 78.70 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 7.09 / yr | $455K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.74 / yr | $409K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.32 / yr | $252K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.98 / yr | $87K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $327K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.84 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $6K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $626K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $1 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Sedgwick County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Biological (2), Coastal Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| May 1973 | Flood | Heavy Rains, Snowmelt and Flooding |
| May 1969 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| June 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sedgwick County?
Sedgwick County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sedgwick County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $455K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $19K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sedgwick County compare to other Colorado counties?
Sedgwick County ranks #55 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sedgwick County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Sedgwick County since 1965, most often 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Sedgwick County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.