Norton County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Norton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.8, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Norton County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 19.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th 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 Norton County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 7.70 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 73.99 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $728K in expected annual loss and about 4.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Norton 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: Norton County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 9 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Norton County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.70 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 73.99 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.12 / yr | $728K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.68 / yr | $86K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.36 / yr | $92K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.73 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.53 / yr | $309K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.89 / yr | $78K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.38 / yr | $66K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $97 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Norton County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
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 Norton County?
Norton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Norton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $728K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Norton County compare to other Kansas counties?
Norton County ranks #56 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Norton County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Norton County since 2005, most often 9 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Norton County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.