Ottawa County
Kansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.