Linn County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Linn County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.2, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Linn County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $101K in expected annual loss and about 9.89 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $393K in expected annual loss and about 8.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Linn County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Linn County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 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 July 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Linn County ranks #80 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.89 / yr | $101K |
| Hail | Low | 8.10 / yr | $393K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.55 / yr | $83K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.11 / yr | $357K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.16 / yr | $569K |
| Drought | Low | 7.36 / yr | $85K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.38 / yr | $963K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $86K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.11 / yr | $363K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 53.40 / yr | $80K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Linn County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Linn County?
Linn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Linn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Very Low, $3K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $101K EAL), Hail (Low, $393K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Linn County compare to other Kansas counties?
Linn County ranks #80 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Linn County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Linn County since 1967, most often 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 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. Linn County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.