Wabaunsee County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Wabaunsee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.6, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wabaunsee County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 14.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 15th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $180K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wabaunsee 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 federal record bears this out: Wabaunsee County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 17 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Wabaunsee County ranks #74 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.30 / yr | $4K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $180K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.32 / yr | $101K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 13.63 / yr | $226K |
| Drought | Low | 21.34 / yr | $57K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.66 / yr | $720K |
| Hail | Very Low | 9.00 / yr | $148K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.39 / yr | $317K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 50.92 / yr | $100K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.42 / yr | $40K |
| 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
Wabaunsee County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (17), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| April 2016 | Fire | Burr Oak Fire |
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 Wabaunsee County?
Wabaunsee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wabaunsee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $180K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wabaunsee County compare to other Kansas counties?
Wabaunsee County ranks #74 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wabaunsee County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Wabaunsee County since 1967, most often 17 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Wabaunsee County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.