Greeley County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Greeley County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.0, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Greeley County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 Greeley County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $891K in expected annual loss and about 78.70 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $904K in expected annual loss and about 7.68 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $33K in expected annual loss and about 10.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greeley 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 federal record bears this out: Greeley County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 6 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, Greeley County ranks #104 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 78.70 / yr | $891K |
| Hail | Low | 7.68 / yr | $904K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.74 / yr | $33K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.11 / yr | $352K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $168K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.43 / yr | $92K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.26 / yr | $23K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $984 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $2 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $358K |
| 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
Greeley County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| 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 |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greeley County?
Greeley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greeley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $891K EAL), Hail (Low, $904K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $33K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greeley County compare to other Kansas counties?
Greeley County ranks #104 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greeley County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Greeley County since 2005, most often 6 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. Greeley County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.