Crawford County, Kansas

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 20037 · population 38,964 · 590 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 790 records for Crawford County, Kansas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 485 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (256 records). The deadliest single record is the May 4, 2003 tornado: 3 deaths, 20 injuries and $13.2 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 24 declarations naming the county since 1967, 22 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on September 1, 2026.

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
790on 485 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
455 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$207Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
38strongest F4
FEMA declarations
24latest 2026

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 Crawford County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 256 since 1958. 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.

Crawford County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 256 167 1958-2025 0 8 $12M 13 of 105
Hail 239 145 1960-2026 0 0 $366K 42 of 105
Floods 104 89 1996-2026 0 0 $1.4M 5 of 105
Winter storms 55 54 1996-2026 0 1 $6.8M 43 of 105
Drought 41 41 2000-2026 0 0 $54M 13 of 105
Tornadoes 38 29 1955-2019 4 43 $115M 23 of 105
Heavy rain 31 19 2009-2025 0 0 – 3 of 105
Extreme cold 10 9 2000-2025 0 0 $16M 17 of 105
Heat 7 7 1999-2012 0 0 – 45 of 105
High wind and dust storms 7 7 1997-2017 0 3 $339K 90 of 105
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 2 2 2009-2010 0 0 – 46 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 Crawford County had?

NOAA records 38 tornadoes in Crawford County from 1955 to 2019, the strongest rated F4, with 4 deaths and 43 injuries recorded in the county. That is 23rd of 105 Kansas counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 38 tornadoes whose track touched Crawford County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 38, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 6 people, 4 of them in Crawford County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Crawford County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
2003-05-04 15:35, as SPC files itGirard to ArmaCrossed KS, MOF433 mi4
1982-03-15 19:35, as SPC files itEl Dorado Springs to OsceolaCrossed KS, MOF370 mi2
2000-04-19 19:30, as SPC files itParsonsF334 mi0
1983-03-26 15:15, as SPC files itPittsburgF37 mi0
1982-03-15 20:45, as SPC files itOpolisCrossed KS, MOF39 mi0
1956-07-20 18:30, as SPC files itPittsburgF369.5 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kansas.

Every tornado record filed for Crawford County (38)
Every tornado recorded in Crawford County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2019-05-20 Kirkwood, Crawford County EF1 1.62 mi x 440 yd 0 0 $29K
2019-05-20 Kniveton, Crawford County EF1 6.14 mi x 1,200 yd 0 0 $1.3M
2017-02-28 Hepler, Crawford County EF0 0.1 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $60K
2017-02-28 Farlington, Crawford County EF0 0.1 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $12K
2006-05-03 Farlington, Crawford County F0 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2005-09-13 Girard, Crawford County F0 6 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2005-04-21 Mc Cune, Crawford County F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2004-05-27 Girard, Crawford County F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
2003-08-05 Mc Cune, Crawford County F0 0.1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2003-05-04 Mc Cune, Crawford County F4 27 mi x 880 yd 3 20 $13M
2000-04-19 Mc Cune, Crawford County F2 8 mi x 300 yd 0 4 $514K
2000-04-19 Walnut, Crawford County F2 8 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $343K
1996-05-26 Mulberry, Crawford County F1 1 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $188K
1988-11-09 Crawford County F1 0.2 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $250K step
1988-11-09 Crawford County F1 3 mi x 50 yd 0 2 $250K step
1987-06-27 Crawford County F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $250K step
1987-06-22 Crawford County F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $25K step
1986-04-07 Crawford County F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $25K step
1986-04-07 Crawford County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1986-04-07 Crawford County F0 0.3 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1984-04-27 Crawford County F2 8.5 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $250K step
1983-03-26 Crawford County F3 7 mi x 100 yd 0 4 $2.5M step
1982-12-01 Crawford County F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $250K step
1982-03-15 Crawford County F3 1 mi x 400 yd 0 0 $25K step
1982-03-15 Crawford County F3 10 mi x 600 yd 1 8 $25M step
1982-03-15 Crawford County F2 15 mi x 600 yd 0 3 $2.5M step
1978-04-06 Crawford County F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $250K step
1974-06-08 Crawford County F0 4.3 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
1973-09-24 Crawford County F1 2 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $25K step
1973-03-08 Crawford County F2 2.3 mi x 440 yd 0 0 $250K step
1965-05-08 Crawford County 0 0 $25K step
1963-05-26 Crawford County F2 8.7 mi x 27 yd 0 0 $25K step
1963-05-26 Crawford County F2 10.9 mi x 27 yd 0 0 $25K step
1962-06-02 Crawford County F2 0 0 $3K step
1961-11-02 Crawford County F1 7.3 mi x 100 yd 0 2 $25K step
1961-03-26 Crawford County F2 2 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $250 step
1958-11-17 Crawford County F2 0 0 –
1955-05-11 Crawford County F2 0 0 $25K 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 Crawford County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 13, 2026 flash flood ($50,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Crawford County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-25 HailMc Cune, Crawford County 1.25 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-13 Flash FloodPittsburg, Crawford County 0 0 –
2026-06-13 Flash FloodPittsburg, Crawford County 0 0 –
2026-06-13 Flash FloodFrontenac, Crawford County 0 0 $50K
2026-06-08 Flash FloodPittsburg, Crawford County 0 0 $15K
2026-04-28 HailCherokee, Crawford County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-28 HailPittsburg, Crawford County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-17 HailHepler, Crawford County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-15 HailWalnut, Crawford County 1.25 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-01 DroughtCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 –
2026-03-01 DroughtCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 –
2026-02-01 DroughtCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Crawford County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2003-05-04 TornadoMc Cune, Crawford County This storm is known to have initiated the unforgettable series of events of 4 May, 2003. This classic supercell rapidly developed over Montgomery County, Kansas, eventually moving into southwestern Crawford County, Kansas where it spawned a very large and destructive tornado. This tornado laid out a path of ... F4 27 mi x 880 yd 3 20 $13M
1982-03-15 TornadoCrawford County F3 10 mi x 600 yd 1 8 $25M step
2000-04-19 TornadoMc Cune, Crawford County An F2 tornado entered the southwest corner of Crawford County west of McCune and traveled northeast over the southwest section of the county. The intermittent damage path was 300 yards wide. Although the tornado stayed over rural areas, it still managed to severely damage or destroy 5 homes and several outbuildings. ... F2 8 mi x 300 yd 0 4 $514K
1983-03-26 TornadoCrawford County F3 7 mi x 100 yd 0 4 $2.5M step
2008-06-03 Thunderstorm WindFrontenac, Crawford County Severe thunderstorm wind speeds in excess of 70 mph caused major tree damage in the community of Frotenac. Three injuries occurred as a large tree was blown down on a vehicle. 60 kt wind 0 3 $14K
2001-04-11 High WindCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford A three-story discount store partly collapsed in Pittsburg, Kansas due to non-thunderstorm winds. Three employees and two customers were inside the building when the roof began to collapse. Some minor injuries were reported as the third floor collapsed onto the second floor. The building was believed to be 100 years ... 0 3 $250K
1982-03-15 TornadoCrawford County F2 15 mi x 600 yd 0 3 $2.5M step
2005-06-30 Thunderstorm WindMc Cune, Crawford County An intense bow echo storm entered Crawford County northwest of Mc Cune and swept across southern sections of the county. 80 mph winds damaged several structures including homes and barns. Two Crawford County residents were inside a mobile home when the storm approached. The home was destroyed and the two individuals ... 70 kt wind 0 2 $2.0M

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.

The costliest records in Crawford County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2011-08-01 DroughtCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 $20M
2012-08-01 DroughtCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 $19M
2007-04-07 Frost/FreezeCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 $16M
2003-05-04 TornadoMc Cune, Crawford County F4 27 mi x 880 yd 3 20 $13M
2022-12-01 DroughtCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 $13M
2009-05-08 Thunderstorm WindMc Cune, Crawford County 74 kt wind 0 0 $4.8M
2002-01-30 Ice StormCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 $3.3M
2024-11-01 DroughtCrawford County · forecast zone Crawford 0 0 $2.4M

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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: March 15, 1982 (tornado, Crawford County, 1 killed).

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 Crawford 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).

Crawford County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind4562034519739
Hail0691726827128
Floods––––12463115
Winter storms––––4191022
Drought––––061421
Tornadoes264131840

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

Records by month in Crawford County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 26 · Feb 61 · Mar 71 · Apr 98 · May 145 · Jun 135 · Jul 80 · Aug 55 · Sep 54 · Oct 12 · Nov 28 · Dec 25 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Crawford County

FEMA's register lists 24 declarations that include Crawford County: 20 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (14) and flood (3).

Declarations including Crawford County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-09-01DR-4940Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2020-03-29DR-4504BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3481BiologicalCovid-19
2019-06-20DR-4449Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides
2019-05-28EM-3412Severe StormTornadoes and Flooding
2017-06-16DR-4319SnowstormSevere Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2013-10-22DR-4150Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2010-03-09DR-1885Severe StormSevere Winter Storms and Snowstorm
2009-06-25DR-1849Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
2008-07-09DR-1776Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes
2008-02-01DR-1741Severe StormSevere Winter Storms
2007-12-12EM-3282Severe StormSevere Winter Storms
2007-07-02DR-1711Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2005-09-10EM-3236HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2005-08-23DR-1600Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2005-02-08DR-1579Severe StormSevere Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding
2003-05-06DR-1462Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2002-02-06DR-1402Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Ice Storm
2000-05-03DR-1327Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
1993-07-22DR-1000FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1976-07-13DR-514FloodSevere Storms, High Winds & Flooding
1973-05-02DR-378FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1969-07-15DR-267TornadoTornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding
1967-07-18DR-229TornadoTornadoes, 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 Crawford County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 104 flood or flash flood records for Crawford County from 1996 to 2026, on 89 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Crawford County ranks 1088th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.7 million on 149 claims filed in Crawford County; the most in one year was 30 in 1994. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1979: 1 · 1984: 1 · 1985: 4 · 1986: 5 · 1989: 2 · 1993: 24 · 1994: 30 · 1995: 9 · 1996: 1 · 1998: 13 · 1999: 6 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 2 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 2 · 2007: 12 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2012: 10 · 2013: 12 · 2019: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2026: 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 Crawford County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Crawford County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $27.3 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Crawford County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
DroughtRelatively High$2.4M19 modeled event-days a year
Ice StormRelatively High$1.1Mabout once a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively High$1.9M5.3 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively High$336K10 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$5.9Monce in about 2 years (modeled)
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$1.3M16 modeled event-days a year
HailRelatively Moderate$648K6.8 a year (modeled)
LightningRelatively Moderate$331K54 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 Crawford County

  1. Jasper County, MO 1,283
  2. Cherokee County 874
  3. Crawford County 790
  4. Vernon County, MO 760
  5. Barton County, MO 730
  6. Labette County 712
  7. Neosho County 653
  8. Bourbon County 642

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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