Decatur County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Decatur County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.3, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by hail 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 Decatur County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 11.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 8.28 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $793K in expected annual loss and about 87.57 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $835K in expected annual loss and about 4.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Decatur County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Decatur County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 2004, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Decatur County ranks #82 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.28 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 87.57 / yr | $793K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.46 / yr | $835K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.58 / yr | $65K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.32 / yr | $63K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.69 / yr | $470K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 5.16 / yr | $179K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.51 / yr | $53K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.89 / yr | $31K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $49 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $1M |
| 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
Decatur County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 2004, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Decatur County?
Decatur County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Decatur County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $793K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $835K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Decatur County compare to other Kansas counties?
Decatur County ranks #82 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Decatur County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Decatur County since 2004, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Decatur County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.