Marion County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Marion County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.0, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Marion County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 38.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.92 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $904K in expected annual loss and about 9.42 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $350K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marion County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Marion County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in April 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Marion County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.92 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.42 / yr | $904K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $350K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.79 / yr | $165K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.69 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.32 / yr | $948K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.81 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.88 / yr | $313K |
| Drought | Low | 27.77 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $468 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $415K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| 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
Marion County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $904K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $350K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other Kansas counties?
Marion County ranks #33 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marion County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Marion County since 1965, most often 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in April 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. Marion County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.