Woodson County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Woodson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.7, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Woodson County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 7.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $196K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $250K in expected annual loss and about 36.43 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $67K in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Woodson County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Woodson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 18 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Woodson County ranks #91 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $196K |
| Drought | Low | 36.43 / yr | $250K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $67K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.11 / yr | $37K |
| Hail | Low | 6.45 / yr | $126K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.61 / yr | $98K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 14.42 / yr | $123K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.14 / yr | $217K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $223 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.63 / yr | $245K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $275K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $1M |
| 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
Woodson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Biological (2), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| March 2025 | Fire | Yates Center Fire |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2023 | 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 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Woodson County?
Woodson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Woodson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $196K EAL), Drought (Low, $250K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $67K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Woodson County compare to other Kansas counties?
Woodson County ranks #91 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Woodson County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Woodson County since 1969, most often 18 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires, declared in May 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. Woodson County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.