Osage County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Osage County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.4, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Osage County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.92 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $190K in expected annual loss and about 11.58 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $642K in expected annual loss and about 51.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Osage 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.
History supports the rating: Osage County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 15 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Osage County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.92 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.58 / yr | $190K |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.74 / yr | $642K |
| Hail | Medium | 9.26 / yr | $677K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $249K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.84 / yr | $595K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.98 / yr | $706K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 14.36 / yr | $210K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $873 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.26 / yr | $595K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| 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
Osage County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Osage County?
Osage County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Osage County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $190K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $642K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Osage County compare to other Kansas counties?
Osage County ranks #37 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Osage County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Osage County since 1967, most often 15 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Osage County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.