Wyandotte County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Wyandotte County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.4, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $68M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wyandotte County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 89.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 89th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 6.91 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 11.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 14.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $68M in expected annual loss for a population of 169K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wyandotte County has a medium 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: Wyandotte County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 16 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in December 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Wyandotte County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 6.91 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 11.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | High | 14.95 / yr | $8M |
| Tornado | High | 0.11 / yr | $15M |
| Hail | High | 9.06 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.32 / yr | $10M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.96 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 50.34 / yr | $887K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.46 / yr | $22M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.12 / yr | $10K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $497K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Drought | Low | 11.67 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Wyandotte County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| November 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
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 Wyandotte County?
Wyandotte County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wyandotte County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $6M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wyandotte County compare to other Kansas counties?
Wyandotte County ranks #3 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wyandotte County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Wyandotte County since 1969, most often 16 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in December 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. Wyandotte County's $68M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.