Topeka, KS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Topeka is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Shawnee County, KS. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, ice storm, and tornado.
Storm events near Topeka
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Topeka's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Topeka 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 Shawnee County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Topeka along with the rest of the county, not a Topeka-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 75.3 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 90 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 59.8 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 95 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 95.9 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 81 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 46.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 87.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 0 | No Rating |
| Ice Storm | 97.9 | Very High |
| Landslide | 63.8 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 95.1 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 79.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 98.9 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Shawnee County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Shawnee County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Topeka, KS at risk of?
Topeka is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Shawnee County, where Topeka is located, are winter weather, ice storm, and tornado.
What is Topeka's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Shawnee County, where Topeka is located, scoring 98.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Topeka a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Topeka carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Shawnee County.
Has Topeka had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 16 tornado, 229 hail, 74 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Topeka since 2016.