Chase County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Chase County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.4, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Chase County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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 Chase County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $470K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $391K in expected annual loss and about 9.11 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chase 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Chase County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 15 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, Chase County ranks #86 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $470K |
| Hail | Low | 9.11 / yr | $391K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $3K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.76 / yr | $128K |
| Drought | Low | 30.48 / yr | $59K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.11 / yr | $42K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.26 / yr | $149K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.60 / yr | $594K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.55 / yr | $315K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 12.26 / yr | $82K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.11 / yr | $92K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Chase County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2024 | 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chase County?
Chase County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chase County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $470K EAL), Hail (Low, $391K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chase County compare to other Kansas counties?
Chase County ranks #86 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chase County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Chase County since 1965, most often 15 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. Chase County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.