McPherson County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
McPherson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.2, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates McPherson County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 39.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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 — $944K in expected annual loss and about 0.97 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $381K in expected annual loss and about 12.74 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, McPherson County has a very 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: McPherson County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 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, McPherson County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.97 / yr | $944K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.74 / yr | $381K |
| Hail | Medium | 10.16 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.92 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.99 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $235K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.74 / yr | $976K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 48.03 / yr | $296K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.54 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Very Low | 44.64 / yr | $35K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $367 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $68K |
| 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
McPherson County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), 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 |
| March 2017 | Fire | Highland Hills Fire |
| 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 |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
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 McPherson County?
McPherson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McPherson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $944K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $381K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McPherson County compare to other Kansas counties?
McPherson County ranks #31 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has McPherson County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for McPherson County since 1965, most often 10 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. McPherson County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.