Johnson County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 95th
Johnson County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.8, 95th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $257M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Johnson County carries a high composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 94.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 95th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Johnson County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 11.26 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 9.24 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Very High risk — $55M in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $257M in expected annual loss for a population of 610K.
Beyond physical exposure, Johnson County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Johnson County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 5 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 October 2023.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Johnson County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 11.26 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | High | 9.24 / yr | $15M |
| Tornado | Very High | 0.32 / yr | $55M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.99 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | High | 14.95 / yr | $27M |
| Lightning | Very High | 51.58 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.26 / yr | $31M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.54 / yr | $110M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $8K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $138K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.97 / yr | $758K |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.24 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Johnson County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in October 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2002 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
| November 1998 | Severe Storm | Ks-Flooding 10/31/98 |
| October 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| July 1993 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Johnson County?
Johnson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.8 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 95th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Johnson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $6M EAL), Hail (High, $15M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $55M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Johnson County compare to other Kansas counties?
Johnson County ranks #2 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Johnson County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Johnson County since 1969, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in October 2023.
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. Johnson County's $257M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.