Anderson County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Anderson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.8, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Anderson County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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.
Most of Anderson County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $549K in expected annual loss and about 14.66 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $173K in expected annual loss and about 0.59 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $83K in expected annual loss and about 10.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Anderson County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Anderson County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Anderson County ranks #60 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 14.66 / yr | $549K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $173K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.63 / yr | $83K |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.32 / yr | $248K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.47 / yr | $495K |
| Hail | Low | 8.48 / yr | $249K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.58 / yr | $326K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $559 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.38 / yr | $668K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $486K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.86 / yr | $2M |
| 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
Anderson County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Anderson County?
Anderson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Anderson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $549K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $173K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $83K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Anderson County compare to other Kansas counties?
Anderson County ranks #60 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Anderson County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Anderson County since 1967, most often 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 2024.
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. Anderson County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.