Comanche County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Comanche County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.2, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought 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 Comanche County is very low, 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 72.88 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $305K in expected annual loss and about 9.85 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Comanche County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Comanche County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in December 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Comanche County ranks #55 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 72.88 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 9.85 / yr | $305K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $911K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.53 / yr | $28K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.74 / yr | $414K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.51 / yr | $187K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.58 / yr | $32K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.95 / yr | $5K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $7 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.52 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $402K |
| 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
Comanche County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Biological (2), Fire (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 | Comanche County Fire |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2016 | Fire | Anderson Creek Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Comanche County?
Comanche 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 Comanche County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $305K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Comanche County compare to other Kansas counties?
Comanche County ranks #55 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Comanche County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Comanche County since 1973, most often 14 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in December 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. Comanche County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.