Lane County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Lane County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.3, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lane County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 Lane County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $918K in expected annual loss and about 72.88 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $679K in expected annual loss and about 9.90 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $18K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lane County has a very low 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 federal record bears this out: Lane County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds (snowstorm), declared in May 2022.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Lane County ranks #103 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 72.88 / yr | $918K |
| Hail | Low | 9.90 / yr | $679K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.79 / yr | $36K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.76 / yr | $395K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $249K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 4.83 / yr | $175K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $11K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.95 / yr | $5K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.64 / yr | $15K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $595K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $3 |
| 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
Lane County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds in May 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| 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 Lane County?
Lane County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lane County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $918K EAL), Hail (Low, $679K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $18K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lane County compare to other Kansas counties?
Lane County ranks #103 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lane County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Lane County since 1993, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 2022.
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. Lane County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.