Hays, KS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Hays is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk — among the lowest-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Ellis County, KS. The county's highest-rated hazards are hail, winter weather, and ice storm.
Storm events near Hays
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Hays's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Hays itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Ellis County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Hays along with the rest of the county, not a Hays-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 60.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 34.4 | Very Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 23.3 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 17 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 57.6 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 54.7 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 60.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 85 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 78.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 12.2 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 66.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 73.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 82.8 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Ellis County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Ellis County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Hays, KS at risk of?
Hays is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Ellis County, where Hays is located, are hail, winter weather, and ice storm.
What is Hays's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hail is the highest-rated hazard for Ellis County, where Hays is located, scoring 85 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Hays a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Hays carries among the lowest-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very Low" for Ellis County.
Has Hays had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 10 tornado, 220 hail, 28 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Hays since 2016.