Natural Disaster Risk in Clay Center
Kansas
Risk Summary for Clay Center
Clay Center scores 5.1/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Ice Storm.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Clay Center, Kansas
Located in the interior eastern United States in Clay County, Clay Center is a town of roughly 5,607 residents. The semi-arid continental climate that characterizes this part of Kansas — marked by hot summers, cold winters, and exposure at the heart of Tornado Alley — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Clay Center a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.
Clay Center's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.1/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. Secondary hazards include hail and wildfire.
Relative to other U.S. communities, Clay Center's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, near the 5.2/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by ice storm and hail, as measured by FEMA across Clay County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a moderate risk rating, Clay Center residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for ice storm is recommended.
What this means for Clay Center: Ice Storm preparedness
- Keep walkways treated and avoid travel during freezing-rain events.
- Have a backup heat source and charged devices ready before winter storms arrive.
- Prepare for multi-day power outages, as ice accretion frequently downs power lines.
Local Factors for Clay Center
These city-level factors differentiate Clay Center from other communities in Clay County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
5,607
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 39.3°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 7.7/10
Coordinates
39.3350° N, 97.1800° W
Clay County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Clay Center
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Clay Center
Other cities in Kansas
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.