Miami County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
Miami County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.1, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Miami County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 43.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 43rd 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 Miami County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $341K in expected annual loss and about 10.95 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 9.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Miami 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Miami County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Miami County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.95 / yr | $341K |
| Hail | Medium | 9.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.79 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.05 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $343K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 52.28 / yr | $296K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.64 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Low | 3.61 / yr | $69K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $118K |
| 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
Miami County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Biological (2), Tornado (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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| July 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Miami County?
Miami County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 43th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Miami County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $341K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Miami County compare to other Kansas counties?
Miami County ranks #25 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Miami County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Miami County since 1967, most often 9 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Miami County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.