Republic County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Republic County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.9, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Republic County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 8.11 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $630K in expected annual loss and about 0.96 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.85 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Republic County has a 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: Republic County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 11 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Republic County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.11 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.96 / yr | $630K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.85 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 11.26 / yr | $161K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.32 / yr | $61K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.68 / yr | $930K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 10.37 / yr | $154K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.02 / yr | $90K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $184K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $20 |
| 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
Republic County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, 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 |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Republic County?
Republic County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Republic County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $630K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Republic County compare to other Kansas counties?
Republic County ranks #58 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Republic County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Republic County since 1967, most often 11 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds, declared in February 2022.
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. Republic County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.