Russell County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Russell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.5, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Russell County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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.
Most of Russell County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $571K in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $639K in expected annual loss and about 9.46 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $563K in expected annual loss and about 48.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Russell County has a 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: Russell County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Russell County ranks #79 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.81 / yr | $571K |
| Hail | Low | 9.46 / yr | $639K |
| Drought | Medium | 48.08 / yr | $563K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $84K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.42 / yr | $70K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.97 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.42 / yr | $494K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.89 / yr | $567K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 8.63 / yr | $182K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.00 / yr | $65K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $37 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.04 / 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
Russell 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), Biological (2), Flood (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 |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| March 2017 | Fire | Ellsworth-Lincoln-Russell Fire Complex |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 Russell County?
Russell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Russell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $571K EAL), Hail (Low, $639K EAL), Drought (Medium, $563K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Russell County compare to other Kansas counties?
Russell County ranks #79 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Russell County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Russell County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Russell County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.