Natural Disaster Risk in Lyons

Natural Hazard Profile: Lyons, Kansas

Lyons is a town of roughly 4,048 residents in Rice County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences hot summers, cold winters, and exposure at the heart of Tornado Alley, with one of the most intense tornado seasons in the world, peaking in May and June shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Lyons.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Lyons carries an overall risk score of 5.4/10, placing it in the moderate category. Hail is the primary natural disaster concern, with severe storms delivering baseball-sized or larger hailstones that cause significant insured losses each year. The area also faces notable exposure to ice storm and wildfire.

Lyons's risk score, near the 5.2/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Rice County, the highest-scoring are hail, ice storm, and wildfire. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Lyons 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 hail is recommended.