Gove County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Gove County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.8, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Gove County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 4.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 9.02 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $886K in expected annual loss and about 69.83 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $35K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gove 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: Gove County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 8 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 July 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Gove County ranks #97 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 9.02 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 69.83 / yr | $886K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.32 / yr | $53K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 1.06 / yr | $479K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.54 / yr | $311K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $222K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.47 / yr | $29K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $6K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.81 / yr | $28K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.14 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $9 |
| 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
Gove County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gove County?
Gove County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gove County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $886K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $35K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gove County compare to other Kansas counties?
Gove County ranks #97 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gove County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Gove County since 2005, most often 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 2025.
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. Gove County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.