Natural Disasters in Topeka, KS

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

88.0

Relatively Moderate

Expected Annual Loss

88.2

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

35.3

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

85.8

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Winter Weather98.9Ice Storm97.9Tornado95.9

Hazard	Risk Score
Winter Weather	98.9
Ice Storm	97.9
Tornado	95.9
Lightning	95.1
Heat Wave	95.0
Hail	87.4
Cold Wave	81.0
Strong Wind	79.5
Wildfire	75.3
Landslide	63.8
Earthquake	59.8
Drought	46.8

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Apr 2024

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

8 declarations

Date	Type	Declaration
Apr 28, 2024	Winter Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORM
Mar 13, 2020	Biological	COVID-19
Mar 9, 2010	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORM
Feb 1, 2008	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORMS
Dec 12, 2007	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORMS
May 6, 2007	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Nov 15, 2005	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Sep 10, 2005	Hurricane	HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Feb 8, 2005	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORMS, HEAVY RAINS, AND FLOODING
Aug 3, 2004	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Feb 6, 2002	Severe Ice Storm	SEVERE WINTER ICE STORM
Jul 22, 1993	Flood	SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Sep 20, 1977	Flood	SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Sep 28, 1973	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING
May 2, 1973	Flood	SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Jun 10, 1966	Tornado	TORNADOES & SEVERE STORMS

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

1,753

Total IA Distributed

$5,399,578

Repair/Replace

$2,397,167

Rental Assistance

$87,258

Disaster	Registrations	Total IA $	Avg Damage
DR-4497	1	N/A	—
DR-1699	1,276	$2,853,524	$2,316
DR-4504	475	$2,545,353	—
DR-4671	1	$700	—

Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

350

Total Claims Paid

$3,620,088

Avg Claim Payout

$10,343

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$10,720,056

Disasters with PA

Total Projects

Disaster	Type	Projects	Federal $
DR-4504	Biological	5	$6,556,751
DR-4774	Winter Storm	5	$3,285,705
DR-1741	Severe Storm(s)	41	$821,276
DR-3236	Hurricane	2	$44,088
DR-4824	Severe Storm(s)	1	$6,795
DR-4640	Severe Storm(s)	1	$5,441

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

Federal Funding

$1,641,943

Properties Protected

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

1.44

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project Type	Projects	Federal $
206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures	3	$1,108,219
600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan)	2	$11,952
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine	2	$251,751
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan	1	$20,072
700.1: Management Costs - Salaries	1	$22,631

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Topeka has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are winter weather, ice storm, tornado. The area has had 16 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (8 declarations). 350 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $10,720,056 in public assistance recovery funding. $5,399,578 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 11 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.