Shawnee County
Kansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Shawnee County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.0, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $75M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 12.11 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.09 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.43 / yr | $14M |
| Lightning | High | 51.21 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.05 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.50 / yr | $40M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.94 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 7.45 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $277K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.15 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $464K |
| Drought | Low | 12.87 / yr | $122K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Shawnee County?
Shawnee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Shawnee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Shawnee County compare to other Kansas counties?
Shawnee County ranks #4 of 105 Kansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Shawnee County's $75M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.