Clark County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Clark County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.1, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clark County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 7.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th 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.
Risk here concentrates in wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 79.26 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $368K in expected annual loss and about 10.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clark County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clark County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 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 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Clark County ranks #93 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 79.26 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 10.02 / yr | $368K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $531K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.89 / yr | $453K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.68 / yr | $18K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.56 / yr | $183K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.37 / yr | $24K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $11 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.31 / yr | $18K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $349K |
| 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
Clark County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| March 2017 | Fire | Clark County Fire |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clark County?
Clark County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clark County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $368K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clark County compare to other Kansas counties?
Clark County ranks #93 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clark County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Clark County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2024.
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. Clark County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.