Hamilton County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Hamilton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.1, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail 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 Hamilton County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 4.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 4th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 93.67 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $941K in expected annual loss and about 7.31 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $16K 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, Hamilton County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Hamilton County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 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, Hamilton County ranks #101 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 93.67 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 7.31 / yr | $941K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $409K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.63 / yr | $26K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.63 / yr | $73K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.88 / yr | $170K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $9K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $73K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $378K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1 |
| 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
Hamilton County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 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 |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hamilton County?
Hamilton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hamilton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $941K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $16K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hamilton County compare to other Kansas counties?
Hamilton County ranks #101 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hamilton County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Hamilton County since 1965, most often 6 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. Hamilton County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.