Labette County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Labette County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.2, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Labette County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 66.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $724K in expected annual loss and about 0.92 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $744K in expected annual loss and about 23.91 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Labette County has a very high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Labette County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Labette County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.92 / yr | $724K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 23.91 / yr | $744K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.83 / yr | $984K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.32 / yr | $147K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 16.37 / yr | $711K |
| Hail | Low | 7.23 / yr | $415K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.93 / yr | $9M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $275K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.62 / yr | $148K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $330 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Labette County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| July 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Labette County?
Labette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Labette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $724K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $744K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Labette County compare to other Kansas counties?
Labette County ranks #12 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Labette County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Labette County since 1973, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Labette County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.