Cherokee County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Cherokee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.7, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cherokee County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 53.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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.
Most of Cherokee County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 20.38 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $590K in expected annual loss and about 1.09 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cherokee County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Cherokee County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 17 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 June 2026.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Cherokee County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 20.38 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.09 / yr | $590K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.84 / yr | $149K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.87 / yr | $869K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 16.42 / yr | $760K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 7.30 / yr | $346K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.18 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $294K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $555 |
| Lightning | Low | 55.21 / yr | $108K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Cherokee County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (17), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cherokee County?
Cherokee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cherokee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $590K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cherokee County compare to other Kansas counties?
Cherokee County ranks #18 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cherokee County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Cherokee County since 1973, most often 17 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Cherokee County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.