Riley County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Riley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.5, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Riley County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th 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.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $862K in expected annual loss and about 11.79 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.01 events per year; and 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. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 72K.
Beyond physical exposure, Riley County has a very 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: Riley County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 12 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, Riley County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 11.79 / yr | $862K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.01 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.24 / yr | $28K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 13.16 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.77 / yr | $594K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $13M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.54 / yr | $992K |
| Hail | Low | 8.73 / yr | $478K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $144K |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.20 / yr | $17K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $184K |
| 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
Riley County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| October 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, 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 |
| 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 Riley County?
Riley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Riley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $862K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Riley County compare to other Kansas counties?
Riley County ranks #16 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Riley County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Riley County since 1966, most often 12 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. Riley County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.