Wallace County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Wallace County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.2, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $1M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wallace County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $319K in expected annual loss and about 8.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 69.83 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $36K in expected annual loss and about 11.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $1M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wallace County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 federal record bears this out: Wallace County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 2004, including 11 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Wallace County ranks #105 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 8.01 / yr | $319K |
| Drought | Low | 69.83 / yr | $47K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.95 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.84 / yr | $194K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.92 / yr | $159K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.90 / yr | $122K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.76 / yr | $18K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $557K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $3 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $926 |
| 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
Wallace County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 2004, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Snowstorm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| September 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wallace County?
Wallace County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wallace County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $319K EAL), Drought (Low, $47K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $36K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wallace County compare to other Kansas counties?
Wallace County ranks #105 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wallace County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Wallace County since 2004, most often 11 for severe storm events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 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. Wallace County's $1M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.