Crawford County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Crawford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.4, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Crawford County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 Crawford County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 19.06 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.30 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 39K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crawford 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: Crawford County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Crawford County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 19.06 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.90 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.30 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.26 / yr | $336K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.26 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.83 / yr | $648K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $673K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.04 / yr | $11M |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.40 / yr | $331K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $341 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Crawford County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, 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 |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Crawford County?
Crawford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Crawford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crawford County compare to other Kansas counties?
Crawford County ranks #9 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crawford County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Crawford County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Crawford County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.