Harvey County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Harvey County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.9, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Harvey County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 38.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $379K in expected annual loss and about 11.84 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.53 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harvey County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Harvey County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 16 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Harvey County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.84 / yr | $379K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 10.10 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $475K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $241K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.84 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 48.05 / yr | $241K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 7.12 / yr | $704K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Low | 48.83 / yr | $215K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $94K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $233 |
| 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
Harvey County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2022 | Fire | Cottonwood Fire Complex |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 Harvey County?
Harvey County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harvey County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $379K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harvey County compare to other Kansas counties?
Harvey County ranks #32 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harvey County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Harvey County since 1965, most often 16 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in August 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. Harvey County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.