Coffey County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Coffey County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.3, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Coffey County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $990K in expected annual loss and about 52.09 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $266K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $265K in expected annual loss and about 0.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Coffey County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Coffey County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 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 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Coffey County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 52.09 / yr | $990K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $266K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $265K |
| Drought | Medium | 27.47 / yr | $413K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.79 / yr | $97K |
| Hail | Low | 7.75 / yr | $329K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.93 / yr | $514K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.37 / yr | $380K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.45 / yr | $891K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $494K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $258 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $58K |
| 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
Coffey County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Coffey County?
Coffey County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Coffey County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $990K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $266K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $265K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Coffey County compare to other Kansas counties?
Coffey County ranks #38 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Coffey County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Coffey County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 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. Coffey County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.