Clay County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Clay County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.4, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clay County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 16.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $327K in expected annual loss and about 1.04 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $690K in expected annual loss and about 8.55 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $220K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clay County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Clay County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Clay County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.04 / yr | $327K |
| Hail | Medium | 8.55 / yr | $690K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $220K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.53 / yr | $102K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.37 / yr | $469K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.34 / yr | $600K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $996K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.68 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.93 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.15 / yr | $51K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $42K |
| 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
Clay County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe 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 |
| October 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, 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 |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
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 Clay County?
Clay County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clay County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $327K EAL), Hail (Medium, $690K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $220K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clay County compare to other Kansas counties?
Clay County ranks #64 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clay County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Clay County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds, declared in February 2022.
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. Clay County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.