Douglas County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Douglas County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.8, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $46M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Douglas County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 74.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th 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.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 11.89 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 9.81 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $46M in expected annual loss for a population of 119K.
Beyond physical exposure, Douglas County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Douglas County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 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, Douglas County ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 11.89 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.34 / yr | $12M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.81 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.13 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.31 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 51.29 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.00 / yr | $20M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.37 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $6K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Drought | Low | 12.31 / yr | $209K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $275K |
| 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
Douglas County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), 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 |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight Line Winds |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Douglas County?
Douglas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Douglas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Tornado (High, $12M EAL), Hail (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Douglas County compare to other Kansas counties?
Douglas County ranks #6 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Douglas County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Douglas County since 1967, most often 13 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. Douglas County's $46M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.