Cloud County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Cloud County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.2, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cloud County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 20.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 8.35 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $480K in expected annual loss and about 0.95 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $128K in expected annual loss and about 11.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cloud County has a low 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 federal record bears this out: Cloud County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in April 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Cloud County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.35 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.95 / yr | $480K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.26 / yr | $128K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.12 / yr | $846K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.05 / yr | $358K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.65 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 3.49 / yr | $30K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.39 / yr | $110K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.00 / yr | $343K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $39 |
| 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
Cloud County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Biological (2), Winter Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cloud County?
Cloud County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cloud County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $480K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $128K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cloud County compare to other Kansas counties?
Cloud County ranks #54 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cloud County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Cloud County since 1967, most often 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in April 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. Cloud County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.