Doniphan County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Doniphan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.0, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide 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
Doniphan County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 14.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $15K in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $749K in expected annual loss and about 18.82 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Doniphan County has a low 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.
History supports the rating: Doniphan County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Doniphan County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.28 / yr | $15K |
| Drought | Medium | 18.82 / yr | $749K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.30 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 8.15 / yr | $344K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $55K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.73 / yr | $68K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.74 / yr | $268K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.74 / yr | $519K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.42 / yr | $25K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.84 / yr | $70K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.84 / yr | $162K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| 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
Doniphan County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe 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 |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
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 Doniphan County?
Doniphan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Doniphan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $15K EAL), Drought (Medium, $749K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Doniphan County compare to other Kansas counties?
Doniphan County ranks #76 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Doniphan County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Doniphan County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2024.
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. Doniphan County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.