Kearny County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Kearny County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.4, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Kearny County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 8.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th 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 High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 89.79 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $718K in expected annual loss and about 8.34 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $56K in expected annual loss and about 9.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kearny County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Kearny County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 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 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Kearny County ranks #89 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 89.79 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 8.34 / yr | $718K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.84 / yr | $56K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.32 / yr | $450K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.62 / yr | $285K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.81 / yr | $346K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.26 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $692K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $5 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Kearny County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kearny County?
Kearny County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kearny County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Hail (Low, $718K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $56K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kearny County compare to other Kansas counties?
Kearny County ranks #89 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kearny County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Kearny County since 1965, most often 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 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. Kearny County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.