Rush County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Rush County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.0, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Rush County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.0 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $677K in expected annual loss and about 59.03 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $630K in expected annual loss and about 10.22 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $116K in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rush County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Rush County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 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, Rush County ranks #96 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 59.03 / yr | $677K |
| Hail | Low | 10.22 / yr | $630K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.72 / yr | $116K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.63 / yr | $51K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.85 / yr | $852K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $558K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.25 / yr | $315K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.82 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.63 / yr | $31K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.79 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $6 |
| 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
Rush County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Snowstorm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| May 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rush County?
Rush County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.0 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 Rush County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $677K EAL), Hail (Low, $630K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $116K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rush County compare to other Kansas counties?
Rush County ranks #96 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rush County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Rush County since 1973, most often 13 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. Rush County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.