Anderson County, Kansas
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 20003 · population 7,830 · 580 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 540 records for Anderson County, Kansas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 351 days; the most frequent are hail reports (176 records). The deadliest single record is the April 12, 1964 tornado: 3 deaths and 9 injuries. FEMA has issued 18 declarations naming the county since 1967, 16 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on July 15, 2024.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 540on 351 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 323 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $41Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 15strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 18latest 2024
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Anderson County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 176 since 1956. 49% of its hail reports since 1956 fell in April and May. The rank column places the county among Kansas's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 176 | 94 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 0 | $10K | 99 of 105 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 140 | 91 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 1 | $370K | 61 of 105 |
| Floods | 80 | 56 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $5.1M | 12 of 105 |
| Winter storms | 61 | 60 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 8 | $11M | 24 of 105 |
| Heat | 22 | 21 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 2 | – | 9 of 105 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 15 | 15 | 2002-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 105 |
| Tornadoes | 15 | 13 | 1954-2010 | 3 | 12 | $18M | 103 of 105 |
| Drought | 11 | 11 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 62 of 105 |
| High wind and dust storms | 10 | 10 | 1997-2009 | 0 | 0 | $6.7M | 72 of 105 |
| Extreme cold | 6 | 6 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | – | 45 of 105 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 2003-2005 | 0 | 0 | $151K | 69 of 105 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2006-2006 | 0 | 0 | $73K | 62 of 105 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Anderson County had?
NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Anderson County from 1954 to 2010, the strongest rated F4, with 3 deaths and 12 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 15 tornadoes whose track touched Anderson County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 3 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964-04-12 16:00, as SPC files it | Greeley | F4 | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| 1956-07-20 18:30, as SPC files it | Pittsburg | F3 | 69.5 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kansas.
Every tornado record filed for Anderson County (15)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-06-08 | Welda, Anderson County | EF0 0.07 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $677 |
| 2007-02-28 | Colony, Anderson County | EF0 1.17 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-02-28 | Selma, Anderson County | EF0 3.52 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-02-28 | Colony, Anderson County | EF1 9.42 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-08 | Colony, Anderson County | F2 15 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 3 | $1.8M |
| 1982-11-11 | Anderson County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1981-05-23 | Anderson County | F2 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1974-04-20 | Anderson County | F2 1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1969-05-05 | Anderson County | F1 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1964-04-12 | Anderson County | F4 19.4 mi x 880 yd | 3 | 9 | $250K step |
| 1961-04-21 | Anderson County | F2 7.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1960-05-25 | Anderson County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1956-07-20 | Anderson County | F3 69.5 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1955-05-27 | Anderson County | F2 27 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1954-05-31 | Anderson County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Anderson County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 3, 2025 flood ($20,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-13 | Thunderstorm WindGarnett, Anderson County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-26 | Thunderstorm WindColony, Anderson County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-31 | HailWestphalia, Anderson County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-10 | Thunderstorm WindWelda, Anderson County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-10 | Thunderstorm WindGarnett, Anderson County | 74 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-10 | Thunderstorm WindWestphalia, Anderson County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-23 | Winter StormAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-03 | FloodScipio, Anderson County | 0 | 0 | $20K | |
| 2025-06-03 | Flash FloodGarnett Municipal Airport, Anderson County | 0 | 0 | $51K | |
| 2025-05-19 | Flash FloodBush City, Anderson County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-19 | HailGarnett, Anderson County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-19 | HailLone Elm, Anderson County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964-04-12 | TornadoAnderson County | F4 19.4 mi x 880 yd | 3 | 9 | $250K step |
| 1997-12-07 | Heavy SnowAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson Four to seven inches fell across most of Northeast and East Central Kansas. The snow contributed to numerous automobile accidents most of which were minor. Some higher amounts reported included McFarland and Eskridge 7 inches, Holton and Valley Falls 6 inches, Hiawatha, Topeka and Lawrence 5 inches. | 0 | 8 | $92K | |
| 2003-05-08 | TornadoColony, Anderson County A tornado formed 5 miles southeast of Colony and traveled a 15 mile path northeast before entering Linn county and dissipating. While in Anderson county the tornado injured 3 people, destroyed 7 homes and seriously damaged 2 others. | F2 15 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 3 | $1.8M |
| 2006-07-16 | HeatAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson Afternoon high temperatures across the area rose above 100 degrees at many locations during the 5 day span. Heat Index readings climbed to 105 to 115 degrees at some locations. Topeka reached 100 degrees on the 16th for the first time in three years. Two Westar Energy transformers exploded on the 16th in Clay Center. ... | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2019-04-29 | Thunderstorm WindGreely, Anderson County A semi-trailer was blown off Highway 169. Time was estimated from radar. | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-04 | Winter StormAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson | 0 | 0 | $9.4M | |
| 2001-04-11 | High WindAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson | 74 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $6.7M |
| 2003-05-08 | TornadoColony, Anderson County | F2 15 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 3 | $1.8M |
| 2002-01-29 | Winter StormAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2007-06-28 | FloodScipio, Anderson County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 1998-11-01 | Flash FloodGarnett, Anderson County | 0 | 0 | $760K | |
| 2007-07-01 | FloodScipio, Anderson County | 0 | 0 | $712K | |
| 2004-03-03 | FloodAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson | 0 | 0 | $547K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 23, 1981 (tornado, Anderson County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Anderson County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 23 | 69 | 54 | 16 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 40 | 51 | 20 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 11 | 25 | 36 | 8 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 36 | 12 | 4 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 1 | 9 | 12 | 0 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
49% of its hail reports since 1956 fell in April and May. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 24 · Feb 28 · Mar 29 · Apr 77 · May 79 · Jun 85 · Jul 70 · Aug 51 · Sep 39 · Oct 18 · Nov 15 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Anderson County
FEMA's register lists 18 declarations that include Anderson County: 14 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (12) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-07-15 | DR-4800 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-03-29 | DR-4504 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3481 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-06-20 | DR-4449 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides |
| 2019-05-28 | EM-3412 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2019-02-25 | DR-4417 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2010-03-09 | DR-1885 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| 2009-09-30 | DR-1860 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2009-06-25 | DR-1849 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2008-10-31 | DR-1808 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2007-12-12 | EM-3282 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2007-07-02 | DR-1711 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3236 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-02-08 | DR-1579 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding |
| 2003-05-06 | DR-1462 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2002-02-06 | DR-1402 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
| 1969-07-15 | DR-267 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1967-07-18 | DR-229 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Anderson County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 80 flood or flash flood records for Anderson County from 1996 to 2025, on 56 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Anderson County ranks 2636th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $221,000 on 4 claims filed in Anderson County; the most in one year was 4 in 2007. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2007: 4; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Anderson County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Anderson County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $5.1 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $549K | 15 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $173K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $83K | 11 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $248K | 53 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $495K | 6.5 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $249K | 8.5 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $326K | 15 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $668K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Anderson County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in KansasEvery Kansas tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in KansasThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Kansas recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Anderson CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Anderson County's FEMA declarations (CSV)18 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis