Butler County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Butler County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.4, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $42M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Butler County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 74.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $661K in expected annual loss and about 10.84 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 1.23 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $42M in expected annual loss for a population of 67K.
Beyond physical exposure, Butler County has a very low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Butler County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 18 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Butler County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.84 / yr | $661K |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.23 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.30 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.85 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.11 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.54 / yr | $676K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.04 / yr | $15M |
| Lightning | Medium | 49.85 / yr | $527K |
| Drought | Low | 37.69 / yr | $270K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $793 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $167K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Butler County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
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 Butler County?
Butler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Butler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $661K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Butler County compare to other Kansas counties?
Butler County ranks #7 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Butler County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Butler County since 1965, most often 18 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Butler County's $42M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.