Chautauqua County, Kansas
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 20019 · population 3,379 · 639 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 591 records for Chautauqua County, Kansas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 351 days; the most frequent are hail reports (205 records). The most damaging was the July 1, 2011 drought ($656,000 in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1973, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires” on May 21, 2025.
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
- 591on 351 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 00 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $5.7Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 25strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 2025
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 Chautauqua County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 205 since 1957. 68% of its hail reports since 1957 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 | 205 | 106 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 0 | $16K | 97 of 105 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 186 | 117 | 1968-2026 | 0 | 0 | $597K | 46 of 105 |
| Drought | 50 | 50 | 2011-2026 | 0 | 0 | $787K | 6 of 105 |
| Winter storms | 46 | 46 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | $917K | 78 of 105 |
| Floods | 34 | 29 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | $251K | 35 of 105 |
| Heavy rain | 25 | 15 | 2009-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 of 105 |
| Tornadoes | 25 | 21 | 1951-2024 | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | 82 of 105 |
| Heat | 14 | 14 | 2006-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 32 of 105 |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 99 of 105 |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 2007-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 86 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 Chautauqua County had?
NOAA records 25 tornadoes in Chautauqua County from 1951 to 2024, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 0 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 24 tornadoes whose track touched Chautauqua County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 25: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people, 0 of them in Chautauqua County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956-04-02 21:30, as SPC files it | VirgilCrossed KS, OK | F4 | 108.3 mi | 2 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kansas.
Every tornado record filed for Chautauqua County (25)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-06 | Elgin, Chautauqua County | EFU 0.01 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-04-30 | Sedan, Chautauqua County | EF0 0.07 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-04-27 | Chautauqua County | EF0 0.01 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-04-27 | Chautauqua County | EF0 0.03 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-09-21 | Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County | EFU 0.5 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-05-14 | Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County | EF0 0.45 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-09-01 | Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County | EF1 7.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-04-02 | Hale, Chautauqua County | EF0 0.02 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-14 | Elgin, Chautauqua County | EF0 0.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-02-27 | Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County | EF0 0.95 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2005-06-04 | Hale, Chautauqua County | F0 0.5 mi x 110 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-04-30 | Sedan, Chautauqua County | F0 0.5 mi x 55 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-04-30 | Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County | F0 1 mi x 110 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2001-04-14 | Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County | F0 0.5 mi x 110 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-05-14 | Chautauqua County | F0 5 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-05-14 | Chautauqua County | F0 1 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1990-05-14 | Chautauqua County | F0 0.5 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1986-06-10 | Chautauqua County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1984-04-29 | Chautauqua County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1973-09-24 | Chautauqua County | F1 5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1973-05-26 | Chautauqua County | F1 1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1959-05-20 | Chautauqua County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1957-05-16 | Chautauqua County | F2 39.3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1956-04-02 | Chautauqua County | F4 5.1 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1951-04-30 | Chautauqua County | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
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 Chautauqua County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 24, 2020 thunderstorm wind ($5,701 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Significant damage occurred at a farmstead just south of Hale. Several 80+ year old trees were either uprooted or snapped at the base. Two machine sheds were damaged as well. The spotter was unsure of the wind speed but thought it was at least 80 mph if not stronger. The Chautauqua Emergency Manager performed a damage survey (including an aerial survey with a drone) and was able to determine that the damage was caused by straight line downburst winds.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 885123)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-17 | Thunderstorm WindCedar Vale, Chautauqua County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-17 | HailCedar Vale, Chautauqua County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtChautauqua County · forecast zone Chautauqua | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-03 | DroughtChautauqua County · forecast zone Chautauqua | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-23 | Winter StormChautauqua County · forecast zone Chautauqua | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-10 | Flash FloodCedar Vale, Chautauqua County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-30 | Thunderstorm WindSedan, Chautauqua County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-07-30 | Thunderstorm WindChautauqua County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindPeru, Chautauqua County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-08 | Thunderstorm WindCedar Vale, Chautauqua County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-14 | High WindChautauqua County · forecast zone Chautauqua | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-18 | Winter StormChautauqua County · forecast zone Chautauqua | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-07-01 | DroughtChautauqua County · forecast zone Chautauqua | 0 | 0 | $656K | |
| 1999-01-01 | Winter StormChautauqua County · forecast zone Chautauqua | 0 | 0 | $531K | |
| 2013-05-31 | Thunderstorm WindCedar Vale, Chautauqua County | 74 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $127K |
| 1994-07-01 | Thunderstorm WindSedan, Chautauqua County | 0 | 0 | $100K | |
| 2006-08-25 | Thunderstorm WindHale, Chautauqua County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2011-06-16 | Thunderstorm WindCedar Vale, Chautauqua County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $26K |
| 2004-04-23 | Thunderstorm WindSedan, Chautauqua County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 1993-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindPeru, Chautauqua County | 0 | 0 | $10K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 16, 1957 (tornado, Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua 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 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 39 | 88 | 52 | 12 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 24 | 64 | 60 | 15 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 22 | 28 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 19 | 15 | 10 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 14 | 15 | 3 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 0 | 3 | 10 | 12 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
68% of its hail reports since 1957 fell in April and May. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 18 · Feb 27 · Mar 40 · Apr 120 · May 147 · Jun 69 · Jul 49 · Aug 29 · Sep 39 · Oct 28 · Nov 13 · Dec 12 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Chautauqua County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Chautauqua County: 12 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-21 | DR-4869 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| 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 |
| 2015-07-20 | DR-4230 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2009-06-24 | DR-1848 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| 2008-07-09 | DR-1776 | 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 |
| 2002-02-06 | DR-1402 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
| 1986-10-22 | DR-780 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-05-02 | DR-378 | Flood | 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 Chautauqua County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 34 flood or flash flood records for Chautauqua County from 1999 to 2025, on 29 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Chautauqua County ranks 2830th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $439 on 1 claim filed in Chautauqua County; the most in one year was 1 in 1979. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1; 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 Chautauqua County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Chautauqua County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate | $1.4M | once in about 117 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $4K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $95K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $960K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $88K | 57 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $147K | 8.5 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $28K | 8.8 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $241K | 6.9 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Chautauqua County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis