Shawnee County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Shawnee County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.0, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $75M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Shawnee County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 88.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 12.11 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.09 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $75M in expected annual loss for a population of 179K.
Beyond physical exposure, Shawnee County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Shawnee County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in April 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Shawnee County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 12.11 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.09 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.43 / yr | $14M |
| Lightning | High | 51.21 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.05 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.50 / yr | $40M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.94 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 7.45 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $277K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.15 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $464K |
| Drought | Low | 12.87 / yr | $122K |
| 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
Shawnee County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| November 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Shawnee County?
Shawnee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Shawnee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Shawnee County compare to other Kansas counties?
Shawnee County ranks #4 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Shawnee County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Shawnee County since 1966, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in April 2024.
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. Shawnee County's $75M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.