Natural Disasters in The Highlands, KS
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
80.2
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
81.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
33.2
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
73.8
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Ice Storm | 96.9 |
| Strong Wind | 96.6 |
| Wildfire | 95.5 |
| Hail | 94.3 |
| Tornado | 93.3 |
| Winter Weather | 86.3 |
| Heat Wave | 84.6 |
| Cold Wave | 80.5 |
| Drought | 51.3 |
| Lightning | 50.3 |
| Earthquake | 40.3 |
| Landslide | 11.5 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
23
Most Recent
Severe Storm
Jul 2025
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
14 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 22, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Aug 20, 2024 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Mar 5, 2022 | Fire | COTTONWOOD FIRE COMPLEX |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Jun 20, 2019 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, FLOODING,LANDSLIDES,AND MUDSLIDES |
| May 28, 2019 | Severe Storm | TORNADOES AND FLOODING |
| Feb 25, 2019 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Mar 5, 2017 | Fire | HIGHLAND HILLS FIRE |
| Oct 22, 2013 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jun 25, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Jun 24, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND RECORD AND NEAR RECORD SNOW |
| Jul 9, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING AND TORNADOES |
| Feb 1, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Dec 12, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| May 6, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Mar 30, 2006 | Fire | OBEE FIRE |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Feb 8, 2005 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, HEAVY RAINS, AND FLOODING |
| May 4, 1999 | Tornado | SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES |
| Jul 22, 1993 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 23 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
108
Total Claims Paid
$1,192,274
Avg Claim Payout
$11,040
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$41,756,217
Disasters with PA
7
Total Projects
154
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1741 | Severe Storm(s) | 70 | $38,526,415 |
| DR-4449 | Other | 49 | $2,022,353 |
| DR-4063 | Severe Storm(s) | 4 | $344,356 |
| DR-4417 | Severe Storm(s) | 17 | $270,027 |
| DR-4811 | Severe Storm(s) | 10 | $250,316 |
| DR-1776 | Severe Storm(s) | 3 | $240,445 |
| DR-4640 | Severe Storm(s) | 1 | $102,304 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
2
Federal Funding
$253,215
Properties Protected
1
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.69
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 206.1: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Private Structures | 1 | $215,715 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $37,500 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
The Highlands has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, strong wind, wildfire. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (14 declarations). 108 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $41,756,217 in public assistance recovery funding. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.