Cowley County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Cowley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.1, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cowley County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 69.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Cowley County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 1.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $640K in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cowley County has a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Cowley County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 18 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Cowley County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 1.01 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.61 / yr | $640K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.81 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.24 / yr | $892K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.53 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.68 / yr | $110K |
| Drought | Medium | 44.20 / yr | $364K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Low | 50.77 / yr | $169K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $151K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Cowley County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cowley County?
Cowley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cowley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $7M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $640K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cowley County compare to other Kansas counties?
Cowley County ranks #10 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cowley County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Cowley County since 1973, most often 18 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Cowley County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.