Natural Disaster Risk in Smith County

Natural Hazard Profile: Smith County, Kansas

Smith County is located in the United States in Kansas, home to roughly 3,570 residents. The county 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 natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Smith County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.0 out of 10 — moderate risk. 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. Residents should also account for drought and wind risk in their preparedness planning.

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

Smith County'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 hail exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.