Ottawa County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Ottawa County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.9, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Ottawa County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 16.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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 High risk — $959K in expected annual loss and about 1.08 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $727K in expected annual loss and about 8.75 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $224K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ottawa 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.
History supports the rating: Ottawa County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in December 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Ottawa County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.08 / yr | $959K |
| Hail | Medium | 8.75 / yr | $727K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $224K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.58 / yr | $77K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.69 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.57 / yr | $459K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 12.79 / yr | $201K |
| Drought | Low | 7.45 / yr | $38K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $20 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.34 / yr | $24K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $35K |
| 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
Ottawa County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ottawa County?
Ottawa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ottawa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $959K EAL), Hail (Medium, $727K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $224K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ottawa County compare to other Kansas counties?
Ottawa County ranks #63 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ottawa County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Ottawa County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in December 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. Ottawa County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.