Jewell County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Jewell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.3, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jewell County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 Jewell County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.91 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $599K in expected annual loss and about 33.53 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $235K in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jewell 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Jewell County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Jewell County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.91 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 33.53 / yr | $599K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $235K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.71 / yr | $946K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.37 / yr | $57K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.91 / yr | $720K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.23 / yr | $118K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.68 / yr | $71K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $53 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $128K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Jewell County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jewell County?
Jewell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jewell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $599K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $235K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jewell County compare to other Kansas counties?
Jewell County ranks #47 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jewell County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Jewell County since 1993, most often 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires, declared in May 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. Jewell County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.