Stafford County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Stafford County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.1, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Stafford County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
Most of Stafford County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 71.26 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 11.25 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $452K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stafford County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Stafford County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 15 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Stafford County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 71.26 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 11.25 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $452K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.79 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.83 / yr | $140K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.94 / yr | $818K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.11 / yr | $352K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.84 / yr | $28K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.37 / yr | $54K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.42 / yr | $18K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $1 |
| 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
Stafford County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Flood (3), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2022 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Stafford County?
Stafford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stafford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $452K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stafford County compare to other Kansas counties?
Stafford County ranks #49 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stafford County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Stafford County since 1965, most often 15 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Stafford County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.