Wichita, KS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Wichita is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Sedgwick County, KS. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, tornado, and cold wave.
Storm events near Wichita
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Wichita's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Wichita 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 Sedgwick County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Wichita along with the rest of the county, not a Wichita-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 94.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 96.1 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 75.2 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 99.3 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 99.3 | Very High |
| Drought | 63.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 99 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 42.7 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 99.8 | Very High |
| Landslide | 49.2 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 98.1 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 87.9 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 97.3 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Sedgwick County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Sedgwick County:
More on Sedgwick County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Wichita, KS at risk of?
Wichita is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Sedgwick County, where Wichita is located, are ice storm, tornado, and cold wave.
What is Wichita's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Sedgwick County, where Wichita is located, scoring 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Wichita a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Wichita carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Sedgwick County.
Has Wichita had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 6 tornado, 451 hail, 172 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Wichita since 2016.