McPherson, KS

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 14,068 · Part of McPherson County

McPherson 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 McPherson County, KS. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, winter weather, and hail.

Storm events near McPherson

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of McPherson's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to McPherson itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 5 events
Hail 167 events
Inland Flooding 57 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are McPherson County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering McPherson along with the rest of the county, not a McPherson-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 67.4 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 33.2 Very Low
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 24.2 Very Low
Heat Wave 60.5 Relatively Low
Tornado 77.1 Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 58.4 Relatively Low
Drought 28.7 Very Low
Hail 80.3 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane 0 No Rating
Ice Storm 84.2 Relatively High
Landslide 26.3 Very Low
Lightning 42.8 Relatively Low
Strong Wind 69.4 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 82.1 Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full McPherson County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on McPherson County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is McPherson, KS at risk of?

McPherson 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 McPherson County, where McPherson is located, are ice storm, winter weather, and hail.

What is McPherson's biggest natural hazard risk?

Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for McPherson County, where McPherson is located, scoring 84.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is McPherson a high-risk area for natural disasters?

No — McPherson 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 McPherson County.

Has McPherson had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 167 hail, 57 inland flooding events within 25 miles of McPherson since 2016.