Sedgwick County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Sedgwick County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.6, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $256M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sedgwick County at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 96.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 97th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Sedgwick County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Very High risk — $51M in expected annual loss and about 1.58 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Very High risk — $53M in expected annual loss and about 1.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $256M in expected annual loss for a population of 524K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sedgwick County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Sedgwick County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Sedgwick County ranks #1 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.72 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Very High | 1.58 / yr | $51M |
| Tornado | Very High | 1.02 / yr | $53M |
| Hail | High | 10.23 / yr | $12M |
| Heat Wave | High | 13.95 / yr | $19M |
| Lightning | Very High | 49.54 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 10.84 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.61 / yr | $101M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.10 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 40.27 / yr | $387K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $40K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Sedgwick County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding |
| February 2002 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
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 Sedgwick County?
Sedgwick County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.6 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sedgwick County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $8M EAL), Cold Wave (Very High, $51M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $53M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sedgwick County compare to other Kansas counties?
Sedgwick County ranks #1 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sedgwick County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Sedgwick County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Sedgwick County's $256M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.