Hodgeman County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Hodgeman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.9, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hodgeman County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 5.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 67.34 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.99 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $49K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hodgeman County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Hodgeman County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in December 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Hodgeman County ranks #95 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 67.34 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 10.99 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $500K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 1.04 / yr | $519K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.79 / yr | $27K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.06 / yr | $210K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $17K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $10 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.21 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $890K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.96 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Hodgeman County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Snowstorm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hodgeman County?
Hodgeman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hodgeman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $49K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hodgeman County compare to other Kansas counties?
Hodgeman County ranks #95 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hodgeman County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Hodgeman County since 1973, most often 14 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in December 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. Hodgeman County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.