Scott County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Scott County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.4, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Scott County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 46.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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 Scott County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 9.19 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 76.76 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $744K in expected annual loss and about 4.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Scott County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Scott County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 5 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 July 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Scott County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 9.19 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | High | 76.76 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.49 / yr | $744K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.74 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.21 / yr | $91K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.73 / yr | $569K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $20K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.95 / yr | $53K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $7K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $9 |
| 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
Scott County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2024 | 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 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Scott County?
Scott County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Scott County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $744K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Scott County compare to other Kansas counties?
Scott County ranks #23 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Scott County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Scott County since 2005, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 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. Scott County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.