Reno County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 80th
Reno County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.2, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Reno County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 80th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Reno County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.01 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 7.19 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $45M in expected annual loss for a population of 62K.
Beyond physical exposure, Reno 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Reno County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 14 for severe storm events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Reno County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.01 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.19 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | High | 11.38 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 1.46 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.63 / yr | $317K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.79 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $14M |
| Drought | Low | 62.44 / yr | $165K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.84 / yr | $247K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $165K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $37 |
| 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
Reno County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Fire (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2022 | Fire | Cottonwood Fire Complex |
| 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 |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2017 | Fire | Highland Hills Fire |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Reno County?
Reno County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Reno County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Reno County compare to other Kansas counties?
Reno County ranks #5 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Reno County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Reno County since 1965, most often 14 for severe storm events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 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. Reno County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.