Harper County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Harper County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.3, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Harper County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 31.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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 — $1M in expected annual loss and about 69.74 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $935K in expected annual loss and about 10.34 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $336K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harper County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Harper County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 14 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 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Harper County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 69.74 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 10.34 / yr | $935K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $336K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $157K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.81 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.43 / yr | $450K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 13.21 / yr | $290K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.00 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.31 / yr | $54K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $77 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Harper County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| May 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harper County?
Harper County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harper County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $935K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $336K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harper County compare to other Kansas counties?
Harper County ranks #42 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harper County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Harper County since 1967, most often 14 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Harper County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.