Greenwood County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Greenwood County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.5, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Greenwood County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th 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 Greenwood County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $489K in expected annual loss and about 8.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greenwood County has a 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: Greenwood County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 18 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Greenwood County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.47 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 8.48 / yr | $489K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.68 / yr | $80K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.40 / yr | $538K |
| Drought | Low | 42.04 / yr | $102K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.21 / yr | $269K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.54 / yr | $151K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.63 / yr | $391K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.46 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $327K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| 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
Greenwood County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greenwood County?
Greenwood County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greenwood County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $489K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greenwood County compare to other Kansas counties?
Greenwood County ranks #48 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greenwood County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Greenwood County since 1965, most often 18 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 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. Greenwood County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.