Ottawa, KS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Ottawa is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Franklin County, KS. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, winter weather, and hail.
Storm events near Ottawa
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Ottawa's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Ottawa 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 Franklin County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Ottawa along with the rest of the county, not a Ottawa-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 50.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 48 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 35.8 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 69.8 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 66.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 46 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 55.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 80.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 0 | No Rating |
| Ice Storm | 84.2 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 48.1 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 66.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 75 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 83.8 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Franklin County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Franklin County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Ottawa, KS at risk of?
Ottawa 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 Franklin County, where Ottawa is located, are ice storm, winter weather, and hail.
What is Ottawa's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Franklin County, where Ottawa is located, scoring 84.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Ottawa a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Ottawa carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Franklin County.
Has Ottawa had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 10 tornado, 155 hail, 65 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Ottawa since 2016.