Wilson County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Wilson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.0, 18th 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
Wilson County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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 Medium risk — $456K in expected annual loss and about 39.27 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $93K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $748K in expected annual loss and about 5.17 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wilson County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Wilson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 11 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 July 2024.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Wilson County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 39.27 / yr | $456K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $93K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.17 / yr | $748K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.95 / yr | $82K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $106K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.53 / yr | $350K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $648 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.37 / yr | $685K |
| Hail | Low | 6.45 / yr | $176K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.78 / yr | $140K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $4M |
| 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
Wilson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| October 2013 | 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 |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wilson County?
Wilson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wilson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $456K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $93K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $748K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wilson County compare to other Kansas counties?
Wilson County ranks #59 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wilson County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Wilson County since 1976, most often 11 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in July 2024.
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. Wilson County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.