Natural Disaster Risk in Elk City
Kansas
Risk Summary for Elk City
Elk City scores 7.0/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Elk City, Kansas
Elk City, in Montgomery County, is a small community of about 754 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 Elk City residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Elk City carries an overall risk score of 7.0/10, placing it in the high category. Arctic air outbreaks are the leading natural hazard, with temperature plunges to dangerous lows capable of causing hypothermia and widespread infrastructure failures. The area also faces notable exposure to tornado and winter.
Within Kansas, Elk City'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 Montgomery County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by tornado and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Elk City residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for cold wave 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.
What this means for Elk City: Cold Wave preparedness
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
Local Factors for Elk City
These city-level factors differentiate Elk City from other communities in Montgomery County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
754
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 37.3°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 7.4/10
Coordinates
37.2888° N, 95.9514° W
Montgomery 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 Elk City
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Elk City
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.