Rawlins County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Rawlins County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.8, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Rawlins County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 4.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 Rawlins County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $810K in expected annual loss and about 93.67 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $773K in expected annual loss and about 8.53 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $83K in expected annual loss and about 13.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rawlins County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Rawlins County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 6 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, Rawlins County ranks #98 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 93.67 / yr | $810K |
| Hail | Low | 8.53 / yr | $773K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.58 / yr | $83K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.19 / yr | $44K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.85 / yr | $638K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.03 / yr | $103K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $83 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 4.67 / yr | $139K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 5.26 / yr | $158K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.16 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.93 / yr | $1M |
| 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
Rawlins County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rawlins County?
Rawlins County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rawlins County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $810K EAL), Hail (Low, $773K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $83K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rawlins County compare to other Kansas counties?
Rawlins County ranks #98 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rawlins County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Rawlins County since 2005, most often 6 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. Rawlins County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.