Natural Disaster Risk in Great Bend
Kansas
Risk Summary for Great Bend
Great Bend scores 6.3/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hail.
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: Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend, in Barton County, is a city of approximately 17,798 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 Great Bend residents and property owners must navigate.
Great Bend's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.3/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Hailstorm risk tops the local hazard profile, driven by frequent severe thunderstorm development that produces some of the most property-damaging hail in the country. Secondary hazards include wind and ice storm.
Within Kansas, Great Bend's risk is, slightly above the 5.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Barton County identifies hail as the foremost hazard, followed by wind and ice storm. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Great Bend's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Great Bend: Hail preparedness
- Document roof and property condition annually to streamline any future hail claims.
- Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofing can reduce hail damage and may lower insurance premiums.
- Park vehicles under cover when severe storms are forecast to avoid costly hail damage.
Local Factors for Great Bend
These city-level factors differentiate Great Bend from other communities in Barton County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
17,798
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 38.4°
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
38.3515° N, 98.7968° W
Barton 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 Great Bend
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Great Bend
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.