Leavenworth County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Leavenworth County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.3, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Leavenworth County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.3 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.
Most of Leavenworth County's expected losses come from heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 14.79 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $968K in expected annual loss and about 1.15 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $34M in expected annual loss for a population of 82K.
Beyond physical exposure, Leavenworth 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 federal record bears this out: Leavenworth County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Leavenworth County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.79 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.15 / yr | $968K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $8M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.32 / yr | $416K |
| Hail | Medium | 9.85 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.33 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.22 / yr | $11K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.71 / yr | $13M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $106K |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.22 / yr | $409K |
| Drought | Low | 14.81 / yr | $144K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $154K |
| 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
Leavenworth County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Leavenworth County?
Leavenworth County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.3 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 Leavenworth County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $968K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Leavenworth County compare to other Kansas counties?
Leavenworth County ranks #11 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Leavenworth County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Leavenworth County since 1967, most often 12 for severe storm events and 5 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. Leavenworth County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.