Gray County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Gray County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.7, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Gray County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 36.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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.
Most of Gray County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 76.66 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 10.63 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gray 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 federal record bears this out: Gray County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Gray County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 76.66 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | High | 10.63 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.88 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $63K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.76 / yr | $383K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.82 / yr | $60K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.79 / yr | $14K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $7 |
| 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
Gray County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gray County?
Gray County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gray County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Hail (High, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gray County compare to other Kansas counties?
Gray County ranks #34 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gray County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Gray County since 1965, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires, declared in May 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. Gray County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.