Phillips County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Phillips County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.5, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Phillips County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.48 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 44.47 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $232K in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Phillips County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Phillips County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 2004, including 14 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Phillips County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.48 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 44.47 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $232K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.20 / yr | $857K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.84 / yr | $97K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $58K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.78 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 43.70 / yr | $87K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.79 / yr | $102K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.32 / yr | $215K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $100 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| 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
Phillips County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 2004, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Snowstorm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Phillips County?
Phillips County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Phillips County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $3M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $232K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Phillips County compare to other Kansas counties?
Phillips County ranks #28 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Phillips County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Phillips County since 2004, most often 14 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm 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. Phillips County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.