Seward County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Seward County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.3, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Seward County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 42.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 122.09 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $966K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $952K in expected annual loss and about 9.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Seward County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Seward County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Seward County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 122.09 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $966K |
| Hail | Medium | 9.50 / yr | $952K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.59 / yr | $763K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.63 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.74 / yr | $76K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $104K |
| Lightning | Medium | 43.09 / yr | $267K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $144K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.95 / yr | $54K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| 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
Seward County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2017 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Seward County?
Seward County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Seward County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $966K EAL), Hail (Medium, $952K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Seward County compare to other Kansas counties?
Seward County ranks #26 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Seward County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Seward County since 1973, most often 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Seward County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.