Lawrence, KS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Lawrence is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Douglas County, KS. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, tornado, and hail.
Storm events near Lawrence
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Lawrence's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Lawrence 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 Douglas County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Lawrence along with the rest of the county, not a Lawrence-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 55.8 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 72.8 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 44.5 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 70.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 92.4 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 70.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 50.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 92.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 0 | No Rating |
| Ice Storm | 91.9 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 67.4 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 86.4 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 87.5 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 96.7 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Douglas County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Douglas County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Lawrence, KS at risk of?
Lawrence is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Douglas County, where Lawrence is located, are winter weather, tornado, and hail.
What is Lawrence's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Douglas County, where Lawrence is located, scoring 96.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Lawrence a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Lawrence carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Douglas County.
Has Lawrence had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 12 tornado, 245 hail, 88 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Lawrence since 2016.