Natural Disaster Risk in Clearwater

Natural Hazard Profile: Clearwater, Kansas

Clearwater, in Sedgwick County, is a town of roughly 5,692 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its semi-arid continental climate brings hot summers, cold winters, and exposure at the heart of Tornado Alley, and in particular one of the most intense tornado seasons in the world, peaking in May and June. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Clearwater residents and property owners must navigate.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Clearwater carries an overall risk score of 7.9/10, placing it in the high category. Ice storm risk tops the local winter hazard profile, with freezing rain events capable of coating roads, trees, and power lines with ice that causes widespread outages and dangerous travel conditions. The area also faces notable exposure to cold wave and hail.

Within Kansas, Clearwater's risk is, considerably above the 5.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Sedgwick County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by cold wave and hail. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Clearwater residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.