Barton County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Barton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.3, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Barton County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 60.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 10.54 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.87 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $728K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Barton County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Barton County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 19 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in December 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Barton County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 10.54 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.87 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.80 / yr | $728K |
| Winter Weather | High | 13.11 / yr | $275K |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $208K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.53 / yr | $726K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 55.46 / yr | $108K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.01 / yr | $184K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.54 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $104K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $14 |
| 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
Barton County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (19), Flood (3), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Barton County?
Barton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Barton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $728K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barton County compare to other Kansas counties?
Barton County ranks #15 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Barton County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Barton County since 1965, most often 19 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in December 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. Barton County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.