Stevens County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Stevens County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.0, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Stevens County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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 — $6M in expected annual loss and about 138.17 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $163K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $357K in expected annual loss and about 8.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stevens County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Stevens County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in December 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Stevens County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 138.17 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $163K |
| Hail | Low | 8.01 / yr | $357K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.47 / yr | $59K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.45 / yr | $42K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.10 / yr | $114K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.54 / yr | $582K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.42 / yr | $436K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.83 / yr | $207K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $472K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $3K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $2 |
| 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
Stevens County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Fire | Haskell County Fire |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Stevens County?
Stevens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stevens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $6M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $163K EAL), Hail (Low, $357K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stevens County compare to other Kansas counties?
Stevens County ranks #30 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stevens County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Stevens County since 1973, most often 6 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in December 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. Stevens County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.