Sumner County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Sumner County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.8, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sumner County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 48.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Sumner County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $995K in expected annual loss and about 10.12 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 1.19 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $886K in expected annual loss and about 59.86 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sumner 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Sumner County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 19 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, Sumner County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 10.12 / yr | $995K |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 59.86 / yr | $886K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.67 / yr | $301K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.93 / yr | $971K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.21 / yr | $859K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $131K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.79 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.00 / yr | $53K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $412 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.80 / yr | $63K |
| 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
Sumner County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (19), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sumner County?
Sumner County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sumner County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $995K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $886K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sumner County compare to other Kansas counties?
Sumner County ranks #21 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sumner County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Sumner County since 1973, most often 19 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. Sumner County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.