Chautauqua County

Kansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

12.1

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

Expected Annual Loss $5M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 3K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Medium $1M/yr
Landslide
Low $4K/yr
Ice Storm
Low $95K/yr

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

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.

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.