Ford County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Ford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.7, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Ford County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 51.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 10.81 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 67.03 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $265K in expected annual loss and about 0.56 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ford County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Ford County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in April 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Ford County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 10.81 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | High | 67.03 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.56 / yr | $265K |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.15 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.11 / yr | $146K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $167K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.74 / yr | $995K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 45.04 / yr | $250K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $84K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $127K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $39 |
| 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
Ford County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| March 2017 | Fire | Ford County Fire Complex |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Ford County?
Ford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Drought (High, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $265K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ford County compare to other Kansas counties?
Ford County ranks #19 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ford County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Ford County since 1965, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in April 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. Ford County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.