Dickinson County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Dickinson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.1, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dickinson County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 Dickinson County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $709K in expected annual loss and about 1.02 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $640K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 13.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dickinson County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Dickinson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 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, Dickinson County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.02 / yr | $709K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $640K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 13.16 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.68 / yr | $245K |
| Hail | Medium | 8.79 / yr | $796K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.92 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 20.34 / yr | $156K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.32 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $992 |
| Lightning | Low | 48.71 / yr | $195K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.47 / yr | $345K |
| 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
Dickinson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Biological (2), Flood (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 |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dickinson County?
Dickinson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dickinson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $709K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $640K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dickinson County compare to other Kansas counties?
Dickinson County ranks #20 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dickinson County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Dickinson County since 1969, most often 9 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. Dickinson County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.