Smith County, Kansas
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 20183 · population 3,570 · 895 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 710 records for Smith County, Kansas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 477 days; the most frequent are hail reports (271 records). The deadliest single record is the January 31, 2011 winter storm, filed for the forecast zone Smith, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1993, 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
- 710on 477 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 12 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $192Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 42strongest 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 Smith County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 271 since 1955. 59% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in May and June. 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 | 271 | 165 | 1955-2024 | 0 | 0 | $48M | 92 of 105 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 159 | 113 | 1955-2025 | 0 | 0 | $23M | 86 of 105 |
| Winter storms | 101 | 100 | 1996-2025 | 1 | 0 | $1.4M | 15 of 105 |
| Drought | 55 | 55 | 2000-2024 | 0 | 0 | $34M | 28 of 105 |
| Tornadoes | 42 | 32 | 1955-2024 | 0 | 2 | $74M | 74 of 105 |
| High wind and dust storms | 30 | 30 | 2002-2026 | 0 | 0 | $66K | 40 of 105 |
| Floods | 16 | 14 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $10M | 86 of 105 |
| Heavy rain | 15 | 11 | 1998-2019 | 0 | 0 | $527K | 48 of 105 |
| Extreme cold | 13 | 13 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $356K | 21 of 105 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 4 | 3 | 2003-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 of 105 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2011-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 64 of 105 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | $18K | 72 of 105 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2018-2018 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 43 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 Smith County had?
NOAA records 42 tornadoes in Smith County from 1955 to 2024, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 2 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 46 tornadoes whose track touched Smith County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 42: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-05-10 18:00, as SPC files it | Riverton to Blue HillCrossed KS, NE | F4 | 56 mi | 0 |
| 1955-06-04 15:20, as SPC files it | DownsCrossed KS, NE | F4 | 61.9 mi | 0 |
| 2013-05-27 18:04, as SPC files it | Esbon | EF3 | 5.74 mi | 0 |
| 1957-06-15 16:05, as SPC files it | Kensington | F3 | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| 1957-06-15 16:05, as SPC files it | Athol | F3 | 2 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kansas.
Every tornado record filed for Smith County (42)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-16 | Athol, Smith County | EF0 6.81 mi x 35 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2016-04-26 | Kensington, Smith County | EF0 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-04-12 | Smith Center, Smith County | EF0 1.12 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2013-05-27 | Lebanon, Smith County | EF3 2.18 mi x 1,580 yd | 0 | 1 | $5.6M |
| 2013-05-27 | Cora, Smith County | EF0 0.01 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-05-27 | Smith Center, Smith County | EF0 0.38 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-06-07 | Harlan, Smith County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-05-04 | Gaylord, Smith County | EF0 0.1 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $64K |
| 2003-06-23 | Reamsville, Smith County | F0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-06-23 | Smith Center, Smith County | F0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-05 | Thornburg, Smith County | F0 2.5 mi x 35 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-05 | Reamsville, Smith County | F0 1.5 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2001-04-10 | Cora, Smith County | F0 3.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 2001-04-10 | Dispatch, Smith County | F0 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 2001-04-10 | Gaylord, Smith County | F1 4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 1999-05-14 | Lebanon, Smith County | F0 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-06-13 | Thornburg, Smith County | F0 0.5 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $226K |
| 1993-05-08 | Thornburg, Smith County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $112K |
| 1993-05-08 | Smith County | F0 0.3 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 1993-05-08 | Smith Center, Smith County | F0 2.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 1993-05-07 | Smith Center, Smith County | F0 1.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 1992-07-18 | Smith County | F0 0.5 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1991-04-11 | Smith County | F1 10 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1990-06-16 | Smith County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-04-25 | Smith County | F1 22 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1990-03-13 | Smith County | F1 13 mi x 220 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1986-05-16 | Smith County | F1 18 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1985-05-10 | Smith County | F4 10 mi x 1,000 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1982-05-11 | Smith County | F1 4 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1982-05-10 | Smith County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1982-04-15 | Smith County | F0 2 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1973-09-25 | Smith County | F2 27.9 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1973-04-19 | Smith County | F2 4.6 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1973-03-13 | Smith County | F2 17.2 mi x 220 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1971-05-30 | Smith County | F2 7.1 mi x 220 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1965-05-25 | Smith County | F2 | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1965-05-25 | Smith County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1963-06-11 | Smith County | F2 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1959-05-20 | Smith County | F2 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1957-06-15 | Smith County | F3 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1957-06-15 | Smith County | F3 14.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1955-06-04 | Smith County | 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 Smith County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 18, 2025 flash flood ($100,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | High WindSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-09 | Thunderstorm WindLebanon, Smith County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-09 | Thunderstorm WindSmith Center Airport, Smith County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-09 | Thunderstorm WindCora, Smith County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-18 | Flash FloodCora, Smith County | 0 | 0 | $100K | |
| 2025-03-19 | BlizzardSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-18 | High WindSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-04 | High WindSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 59 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-17 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-17 | Winter WeatherSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-11 | Winter WeatherSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-05 | Winter StormSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-31 | Winter StormSmith County · forecast zone Smith Storm total snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches combined with strong winds of 25 to 30 mph and periodic gusts approaching 45 mph brought reduced visibilities, occasional white out conditions and hazardous travel to the county. On Monday morning, a woman was killed in a one vehicle accident when she lost control ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2013-05-27 | TornadoLebanon, Smith County This tornado affected two counties in north central Kansas, touching down north of Lebanon in Smith County and lifting north of Esbon in Jewell County. The maximum wind speed was estimated to be near 140 MPH, with a maximum path width of 1580 yards. Along its path, this tornado caused minor to major tree damage, ... | EF3 2.18 mi x 1,580 yd | 0 | 1 | $5.6M |
| 1965-05-25 | TornadoSmith County | F2 | 0 | 1 | $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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-09-01 | DroughtSmith County · forecast zone Smith | 0 | 0 | $17M | |
| 2002-05-26 | Thunderstorm WindHarlan, Smith County | 75 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $6.6M |
| 2013-05-27 | TornadoLebanon, Smith County | EF3 2.18 mi x 1,580 yd | 0 | 1 | $5.6M |
| 2011-06-02 | FloodLebanon, Smith County | 0 | 0 | $5.2M | |
| 1999-05-22 | HailCora, Smith County | 3.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $4.6M |
| 2002-05-26 | HailBellaire, Smith County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $4.2M |
| 2002-05-26 | HailBellaire, Smith County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $4.1M |
| 2001-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindGaylord, Smith County | 87 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3.3M |
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: June 15, 1957 (tornado, Smith County); June 15, 1957 (tornado, Smith County); May 10, 1985 (tornado, Smith 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 Smith 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 | 4 | 10 | 34 | 71 | 72 | 62 | 17 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 28 | 34 | 42 | 27 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 17 | 28 | 36 | 20 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 2 | 22 | 31 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 5 | 8 | 17 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
59% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 40 · Feb 37 · Mar 41 · Apr 74 · May 164 · Jun 132 · Jul 84 · Aug 58 · Sep 22 · Oct 11 · Nov 15 · Dec 32 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Smith County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Smith County: 13 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (11) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-21 | DR-4869 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Wildfires |
| 2022-02-17 | DR-4640 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight Line Winds |
| 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 |
| 2013-04-26 | DR-4112 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| 2011-07-29 | DR-4010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2010-08-10 | DR-1932 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2008-07-09 | DR-1776 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| 2008-02-01 | DR-1741 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2007-12-12 | EM-3282 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2007-05-06 | DR-1699 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2007-01-07 | DR-1675 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3236 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-08-03 | DR-1535 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1993-07-22 | DR-1000 | 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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Smith County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Smith County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.3 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.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | Relatively High | $3.1M | 7.7 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $1.0M | 48 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $1.1M | 4.5 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $213K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $69K | 12 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $899K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $139K | 45 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $30K | once in about 3,001 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Smith 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 Smith CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Smith County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis