Cowley County
Kansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Cowley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.1, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 1.01 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.61 / yr | $640K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.81 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.24 / yr | $892K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.53 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.68 / yr | $110K |
| Drought | Medium | 44.20 / yr | $364K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Low | 50.77 / yr | $169K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $151K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cowley County?
Cowley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cowley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $7M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $640K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cowley County compare to other Kansas counties?
Cowley County ranks #10 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Cowley County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.