Natural Disaster Risk in Medicine Lodge
Kansas
Risk Summary for Medicine Lodge
Medicine Lodge scores 5.2/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Drought.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Medicine Lodge, in Barber County, is a small community of about 2,142 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 Medicine Lodge residents and property owners must navigate.
Medicine Lodge's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.2/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant drought exposure, where below-average precipitation over extended periods strains water resources and drives secondary hazards like wildfire and crop failure. Secondary hazards include wildfire and cold wave.
Within Kansas, Medicine Lodge's risk is, near the 5.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Barber County identifies drought as the foremost hazard, followed by wildfire and cold wave. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Medicine Lodge's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that drought exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for Medicine Lodge: Drought preparedness
- Follow local water-use restrictions, which may be enacted during severe drought conditions.
- Adopt water-efficient landscaping and fixtures to reduce strain during extended dry periods.
- Be aware that prolonged drought raises secondary risks including wildfire and foundation soil movement.
Local Factors for Medicine Lodge
These city-level factors differentiate Medicine Lodge from other communities in Barber County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
2,142
Small TownGeographic 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: 9.3/10
Coordinates
37.2729° N, 98.6522° W
Barber 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 Medicine Lodge
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Medicine Lodge
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.