Cheyenne County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Cheyenne County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.4, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cheyenne County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 8.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th 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 Cheyenne County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $663K in expected annual loss and about 8.31 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $314K in expected annual loss and about 80.09 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $73K in expected annual loss and about 13.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cheyenne County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Cheyenne County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 8 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 July 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Cheyenne County ranks #88 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.31 / yr | $663K |
| Drought | Medium | 80.09 / yr | $314K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 13.68 / yr | $73K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $75K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.79 / yr | $387K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.90 / yr | $491K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.11 / yr | $27K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.14 / yr | $136K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.83 / yr | $39K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $26 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.82 / yr | $836K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Cheyenne County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cheyenne County?
Cheyenne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cheyenne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $663K EAL), Drought (Medium, $314K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $73K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cheyenne County compare to other Kansas counties?
Cheyenne County ranks #88 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cheyenne County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Cheyenne County since 2005, most often 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 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. Cheyenne County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.