Washington County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Washington County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.6, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Washington County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 15.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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 Washington County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 8.25 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $370K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $200K in expected annual loss and about 1.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washington 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: Washington County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Haddam Fire (fire), declared in April 2023.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Washington County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.25 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $370K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $200K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.94 / yr | $860K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.79 / yr | $73K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.82 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 10.68 / yr | $190K |
| Drought | Low | 4.79 / yr | $42K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.42 / yr | $228K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.62 / yr | $49K |
| 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
Washington County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Haddam Fire in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Fire | Haddam Fire |
| 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $370K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $200K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Kansas counties?
Washington County ranks #67 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washington County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Washington County since 1967, most often 12 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Haddam Fire, declared in April 2023.
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. Washington County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.