Saline County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Saline County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.2, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Saline County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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.
Most of Saline County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $728K in expected annual loss and about 12.68 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 tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.70 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 54K.
Beyond physical exposure, Saline 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: Saline County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Saline County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 12.68 / yr | $728K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.01 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.70 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.19 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $671K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.05 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.53 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.18 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.97 / yr | $469K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $11M |
| Drought | Low | 23.00 / yr | $156K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $134K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $73 |
| 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
Saline County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Saline County?
Saline County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Saline County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $728K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Saline County compare to other Kansas counties?
Saline County ranks #13 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Saline County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Saline County since 1969, most often 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Saline County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.