Washington County, Kansas
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 20201 · population 5,513 · 895 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 748 records for Washington County, Kansas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 421 days; the most frequent are hail reports (398 records). The deadliest single record is the March 4, 2003 winter storm, filed for the forecast zone Washington, which covers the county: 2 deaths and 8 injuries. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1967, 19 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
- 748on 421 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 422 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $177Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 37strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 21latest 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 Washington County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 398 since 1956. 47% of its hail reports since 1956 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 | 398 | 201 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 0 | $52K | 61 of 105 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 163 | 92 | 1955-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | 103 of 105 |
| Winter storms | 73 | 70 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 10 | $2.2M | 70 of 105 |
| Tornadoes | 37 | 28 | 1955-2026 | 2 | 12 | $172M | 86 of 105 |
| Floods | 19 | 18 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | 78 of 105 |
| Heat | 15 | 15 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 105 |
| High wind and dust storms | 12 | 11 | 1998-2009 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 87 of 105 |
| Drought | 10 | 10 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 78 of 105 |
| Extreme cold | 10 | 10 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $142K | 43 of 105 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 7 | 7 | 2003-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 30 of 105 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 1996-2002 | 0 | 0 | $67K | 27 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 Washington County had?
NOAA records 37 tornadoes in Washington County from 1955 to 2026, the strongest rated F3, with 2 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 41 tornadoes whose track touched Washington County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 37: 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, 2 of them in Washington County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957-05-20 14:50, as SPC files it | Morrowville | F4 | 44.6 mi | 0 |
| 1991-04-26 14:50, as SPC files it | BeatriceCrossed KS, NE | F3 | 24 mi | 0 |
| 1973-09-25 16:20, as SPC files it | Bennington to Hanover | F3 | 69.9 mi | 0 |
| 1966-05-11 13:45, as SPC files it | Linn | F3 | 5.4 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Kansas.
Every tornado record filed for Washington County (37)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-18 | Palmer, Washington County | EFU 2.54 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-05-26 | Linn, Washington County | EF0 0.12 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2016-10-06 | Palmer, Washington County | EF1 6.52 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-05-06 | Vining, Washington County | EF1 4.05 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-05-06 | Washington County | EF0 0.25 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-05-06 | Throop, Washington County | EF0 6.04 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-05-18 | Washington County | EF0 0.34 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-05-18 | Vining, Washington County | EF1 1.14 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010-04-29 | Emmons, Washington County | EF0 0.96 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-06-17 | Hanover Airport, Washington County | EF1 3.95 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2008-06-05 | Barnes, Washington County | EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-05-05 | Enosdale, Washington County | EF1 1.38 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-04-06 | Barnes, Washington County | F2 17 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
| 2006-01-28 | Barnes, Washington County | F0 0.3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-29 | Mahaska, Washington County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-24 | Linn, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-05 | Mahaska, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 2001-04-11 | Haddam, Washington County | F0 6 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2001-04-11 | Washington County | F1 4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 1998-06-27 | Hollenburg, Washington County | F0 0.2 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-06-27 | Hanover, Washington County | F0 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $22K |
| 1998-06-27 | Hollenburg, Washington County | F1 4.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 1997-08-16 | Greenleaf, Washington County | F0 0.8 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $28K |
| 1996-05-09 | Hanover, Washington County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-05-09 | Vining, Washington County | F2 1.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $640K |
| 1991-04-26 | Washington County | F3 5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1991-04-26 | Washington County | F2 3.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 6 | $250K step |
| 1983-06-18 | Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 7 yd | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1983-05-18 | Washington County | F0 0.2 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1983-05-18 | Washington County | F0 6 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1978-07-06 | Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1973-11-20 | Washington County | F1 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1973-09-25 | Washington County | F3 11.9 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 6 | $25M step |
| 1970-06-19 | Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1966-05-11 | Washington County | F3 5.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1959-05-29 | Washington County | F1 0.2 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1955-06-30 | Washington 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 Washington County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 11, 2026 flood ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-13 | HailHollenburg, Washington County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-18 | TornadoPalmer, Washington County | EFU 2.54 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-17 | HailHollenburg, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-16 | HailHaddam, Washington County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-16 | HailHaddam, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-16 | HailMorrowville, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-11 | FloodWashington County | 0 | 0 | $10K | |
| 2026-04-09 | HailGreenleaf, Washington County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-09 | HailBrantford, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-09 | HailBrantford, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-09 | HailWashington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-09 | HailBrantford, Washington County | 1.75 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-03-04 | Winter StormWashington County · forecast zone Washington A winter storm spread freezing drizzle and snow across the area beginning around mid morning of the 4th and ending around late afternoon. Roads became very slick and hazardous and resulted in numerous accidents. At least 8 people were treated for injuries from the accidents. A woman was killed when her car slid into a ... | 2 | 8 | – | |
| 1973-09-25 | TornadoWashington County | F3 11.9 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 6 | $25M step |
| 1991-04-26 | TornadoWashington County | F2 3.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 6 | $250K step |
| 2000-11-11 | Winter StormWashington County · forecast zone Washington Four to 6 inches of snow fell during the afternoon and evening of the 11th in several counties near the nebraska border and resulted in many accidents. Two women were injured near Brantford when 2 vehicles collided on a slick roadway . | 0 | 2 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-11-16 | Heavy SnowWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | |
| 2006-04-06 | TornadoBarnes, Washington County | F2 17 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
| 2007-05-07 | FloodWashington County | 0 | 0 | $854K | |
| 1996-05-09 | TornadoVining, Washington County | F2 1.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $640K |
| 2002-05-05 | TornadoMahaska, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 1998-06-27 | TornadoHollenburg, Washington County | F1 4.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 1997-08-16 | TornadoGreenleaf, Washington County | F0 0.8 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $28K |
| 1998-06-27 | TornadoHanover, Washington County | F0 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $22K |
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: September 25, 1973 (tornado, Washington County, 2 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 Washington 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 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 40 | 77 | 116 | 100 | 43 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 19 | 42 | 49 | 33 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 47 | 10 | 7 |
| Tornadoes | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 9 | 7 | 1 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 1 | 8 | 6 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
47% of its hail reports since 1956 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 25 · Feb 27 · Mar 27 · Apr 102 · May 129 · Jun 155 · Jul 85 · Aug 81 · Sep 63 · Oct 15 · Nov 15 · Dec 24 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Washington County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Washington County: 17 major disasters, 3 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for severe storm (13) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-01 | DR-4940 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2023-04-13 | FM-5463 | Fire | Haddam Fire |
| 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 |
| 2015-07-20 | DR-4230 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2013-10-22 | DR-4150 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| 2010-03-09 | DR-1885 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| 2009-12-23 | DR-1868 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3236 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1993-07-22 | DR-1000 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1991-04-29 | DR-903 | Tornado | Severe Storms & Tornadoes |
| 1973-09-28 | DR-403 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1973-05-02 | DR-378 | Flood | 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 Washington County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 19 flood or flash flood records for Washington County from 1998 to 2026, on 18 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Washington County ranks 2756th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1,761 on 2 claims filed in Washington County; the most in one year was 1 in 2015. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2015: 1 · 2026: 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 Washington County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $6.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $1.3M | 8.3 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $200K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $860K | 4.9 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $370K | once in about 871 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $73K | 12 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.0M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $42K | 4.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Landslide | Very Low | $1K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Washington 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 Washington CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Washington County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis