Osborne County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Osborne County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.4, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Osborne County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 21.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 8.42 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $839K in expected annual loss and about 37.69 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $159K in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Osborne County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Osborne County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 12 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, Osborne County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 8.42 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 37.69 / yr | $839K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $159K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.91 / yr | $698K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.47 / yr | $57K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.91 / yr | $572K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $179K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.34 / yr | $55K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $41 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.84 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Osborne County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| 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 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Osborne County?
Osborne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Osborne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $839K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $159K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Osborne County compare to other Kansas counties?
Osborne County ranks #52 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Osborne County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Osborne County since 1973, most often 12 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. Osborne County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.