Ness County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Ness County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.5, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Ness County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 10.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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.
Most of Ness County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $717K in expected annual loss and about 59.58 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $628K in expected annual loss and about 10.35 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ness County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Ness County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Ness County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 59.58 / yr | $717K |
| Hail | Medium | 10.35 / yr | $628K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.74 / yr | $55K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $62K |
| Tornado | Low | 1.25 / yr | $790K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.10 / yr | $311K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.63 / yr | $394K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.74 / yr | $28K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $14 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.37 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Ness County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Snowstorm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| 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 | Ness County Fire |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
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 Ness County?
Ness County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ness County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $717K EAL), Hail (Medium, $628K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $47K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ness County compare to other Kansas counties?
Ness County ranks #84 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ness County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Ness County since 1967, most often 9 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires, declared in May 2025.
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. Ness County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.