Geary County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Geary County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.6, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Geary County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $447K in expected annual loss and about 12.05 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $826K in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $697K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Geary County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Geary County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Geary County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 12.05 / yr | $447K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.00 / yr | $826K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $697K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.89 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.18 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.79 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 50.07 / yr | $300K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 8.88 / yr | $256K |
| Drought | Very Low | 17.28 / yr | $20K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $94K |
| 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
Geary County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Biological (2), Winter Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Geary County?
Geary County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Geary County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $447K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $826K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $697K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Geary County compare to other Kansas counties?
Geary County ranks #27 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Geary County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Geary County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Geary County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.