Rooks County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Rooks County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.3, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Rooks County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 14.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 8.33 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 46.08 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $908K in expected annual loss and about 4.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rooks County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Rooks County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 12 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Rooks County ranks #75 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.33 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 46.08 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.57 / yr | $908K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.48 / yr | $130K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $69K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.63 / yr | $82K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.87 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $285K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.58 / yr | $59K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.05 / yr | $19K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $24 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / 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
Rooks County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Snowstorm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2017 | Fire | Rooks County Fire |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
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 Rooks County?
Rooks County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rooks County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $908K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rooks County compare to other Kansas counties?
Rooks County ranks #75 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rooks County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Rooks County since 1993, most often 12 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires, declared in May 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. Rooks County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.