Pottawatomie County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Pottawatomie County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.9, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pottawatomie County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 30.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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.
Most of Pottawatomie County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pottawatomie County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pottawatomie County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 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 July 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Pottawatomie County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.90 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.37 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.84 / yr | $275K |
| Hail | Low | 8.81 / yr | $566K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.73 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 13.11 / yr | $774K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.86 / yr | $748K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.11 / yr | $976K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.42 / yr | $218K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.04 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Very Low | 10.09 / yr | $22K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| 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
Pottawatomie County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
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 Pottawatomie County?
Pottawatomie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pottawatomie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $19K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pottawatomie County compare to other Kansas counties?
Pottawatomie County ranks #43 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pottawatomie County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Pottawatomie County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 2024.
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. Pottawatomie County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.