Barber County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Barber County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.3, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Barber County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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 High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 58.87 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 2.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Barber County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Barber County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1973, 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 September 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Barber County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 58.87 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.72 / yr | $727K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.66 / yr | $108K |
| Tornado | Low | 1.12 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.90 / yr | $339K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.74 / yr | $97K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $89 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.61 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.74 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Barber County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 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 |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2016 | Fire | Anderson Creek Fire |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Barber County?
Barber County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Barber County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barber County compare to other Kansas counties?
Barber County ranks #29 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Barber County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Barber County since 1973, 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 September 2025.
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. Barber County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.