Mitchell County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Mitchell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.8, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Mitchell County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 29.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 8.40 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $439K in expected annual loss and about 0.84 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mitchell County has a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Mitchell County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Mitchell County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 8.40 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $439K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.12 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 19.49 / yr | $558K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.32 / yr | $99K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.72 / yr | $923K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.95 / yr | $159K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.20 / yr | $105K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $279K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $17 |
| 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
Mitchell County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mitchell County?
Mitchell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mitchell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $439K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mitchell County compare to other Kansas counties?
Mitchell County ranks #44 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mitchell County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Mitchell County since 1967, most often 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds, declared in February 2022.
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. Mitchell County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.