Chautauqua County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Chautauqua County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.1, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Chautauqua County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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 Chautauqua County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $95K in expected annual loss and about 0.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chautauqua County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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: Chautauqua County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Chautauqua County ranks #81 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.21 / yr | $4K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.68 / yr | $95K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.56 / yr | $960K |
| Drought | Low | 57.36 / yr | $88K |
| Hail | Low | 8.48 / yr | $147K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 16.42 / yr | $143K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.79 / yr | $28K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.86 / yr | $241K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $334K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.17 / yr | $22K |
| 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
Chautauqua County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chautauqua County?
Chautauqua County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chautauqua County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $95K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chautauqua County compare to other Kansas counties?
Chautauqua County ranks #81 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chautauqua County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Chautauqua County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires, declared in May 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. Chautauqua County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.