Natural Disaster Risk in Madison

Natural Hazard Profile: Madison, Kansas

Madison is a small community of about 1,342 in Greenwood 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 Madison.

FEMA rates Madison's composite natural disaster risk at 5.3 out of 10 — moderate risk. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Residents should also account for wildfire and hail risk in their preparedness planning.

Madison'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 Greenwood County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, wildfire, and hail. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Madison 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.